WOMEN make up just 40 per cent of the workforce in Tower Hamlets - the lowest proportion in the country.

The female workforce in the borough is lagging behind the UK, where on average women account for almost half of all those with jobs.

Of the 87,000 people employed in Tower Hamlets, 52,000 are men compared to 35,000 women, the GMB union’s latest figures show.

In Tower Hamlets council though, more than 60 per cent of the workforce is female.

Women also outnumber men in senior roles, according to the council’s figures for 2009-10.

A spokesperson said: “The council is fully committed to promoting equality.

“Women clearly have a very important role in the council’s workforce and we will continue to drive forward schemes that ensure we have a workforce that reflects the community.”

London did not fare well on the whole, with several other boroughs also at the bottom of the league.

Haringey was second from bottom, with 42 per cent of the workforce female and Southwark was third with 43 per cent.

Gwynedd in North Wales had the highest proportion, with women making up 55 per cent of those in employment.

The information comes from the Annual Population Survey of 2009 to 2010 – collated by the Office of National Statistics.

Despite the encouraging results in some areas, more needs to be done to help women in the workplace, GMB said.

Kamaljeet Jandu, GMB national officer for equality and diversity, said: “Barriers to women’s recruitment and promotion should be removed.

“At work women should receive equal pay and have access to family friendly flexible working arrangements.”