The town’s biggest private employer, JP Morgan, is among banks criticised over gender equality by a committee of MPs.

JP Morgan, along with Goldman Sachs and others, has not yet signed the Women in Finance Charter pledging to promote gender diversity across the business.

Former cabinet minister Nicky Morgan, who chairs the treasury select committee, has given companies until today to confirm that they plan to join the initiative, or explain why not.

She said:"As the charter states, a balanced workforce is good for customers, profitability and workplace culture. Huge multi-nationals including Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and UBS are yet to sign up to the charter, and if they don't intend to do so, the Treasury Committee wants them to explain why."

A spokeswoman for JP Morgan said the bank supports the goals of the charter and is "considering signing up".