THE vast majority of local authorities across Britain remain male-dominated, with only a minority of councillors being women, according to a new study.

Analysis by the Fawcett Society and Democracy Club found that fewer than 5 per cent of councils (18 of 382) have achieved at least parity of gender representation.

Only a third of councillors are women and it estimated that, based on the current rate of change, 50-50 representation will not be achieved until 2051.

The proportion of women on councils last year was only 2 percentage points higher than in a snapshot taken in 2018, it was suggested.

Women were mostly represented in the Labour (47 per cent), Green (43 per cent) and Scottish National parties (41 per cent).

The lowest proportion was found in the Conservative Party (29 per cent) and in Northern Ireland’s Social Democratic and Labour Party (29 per cent) and Democratic Unionists (21 per cent), the study showed.

Fawcett Society chief executive Jemima Olchawski said: “Women are significantly impacted by decisions made at the local level and are more likely to rely on the services our councils run, from social care to social housing.

“Yet progress on women’s representation in local government is moving at a snail’s pace. That such a vast majority of local councils are male-dominated diminishes public life.

“Government, local authorities and political parties need to take action and record diversity data, set targets for women’s representation, alongside other protected characteristics, and make being a local councillor more accessible to those with caring responsibilities.”

Shadow minister for women and equalities Anneliese Dodds commented: “Unfortunately, this research provides yet more evidence of the Tories’ women problem. 

“The Conservatives have spent 13 years driving women’s living standards down and NHS gynaecological waiting lists up, while failing to deal with the epidemic of violence against women and girls.”