A “roadmap” aimed at helping women financially empower themselves from their school days to retirement will be published by the government. 

Women and equalities minister Penny Mordaunt – who was also recently appointed the UK’s first ever defence secretary – said the report would “define and guide” how to tackle the barriers women face. 

In the foreword, Mordaunt, a Brexiteer who is backing Jeremy Hunt to be the next Tory leader, said women in the UK are more likely to achieve higher qualifications than men but earn less. 

“They are more likely to take on unpaid work, three times as likely to be working part time and likely to save less into their private pensions,” she wrote.

“It’s clear that we as government need to act, following through on our commitment to ensure everyone in this country can reach their true potential.

“Business as usual isn’t going to cut it.”

The publication, Gender Equality At Every Stage: A Roadmap For Change, sets out the government’s plan to act on “eight key issues”, including tackling limiting attitudes to gender and improving gender balance across higher and lower paid industries and occupations.

It also notes that the government wants Universal Credit to work for women and wants both parents to take “active and well-informed choices” about balancing work and care.

Mordaunt will say on Wednesday morning: “I want everyone in our country to be able to thrive in life.

“That means being able to be in control of the choices you make and have the opportunities you have to seize.

“We must be honest that many women do not have those choices or opportunities, and as a consequence are not able to be as financially resilient or independent.

“This inequality is faced at every stage of a woman’s life, from how she is treated in the classroom, to the caring roles she often takes on, and the lack of savings or pension she accumulates.

“This road map is intended to define and guide how we tackle the barriers women face as they journey through life.

“I’m confident today’s announcement will be the first step in a long-term commitment by this government to empower everyone in this country, helping them truly reach their full potential, from birth to retirement.”

Sam Smethers, Fawcett Society chief executive, said: “We welcome this roadmap but we must chart an ambitious course.

“That means modernising our equal pay laws and a period of longer better paid leave for dads.

“It means placing a new duty on employers to prevent harassment.

“It means a real living wage and affordable childcare.

“It means transforming education to really challenge gender stereotypes.

“It means safeguarding women’s rights post-Brexit.

“It means more women in all their diversity in positions of power.”

Caroline Waters, deputy chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: “Gender inequality in Britain is deeply entrenched and has many complex causes, as our report ‘Is Britain Fairer?’ showed.

“There are no quick fixes, and improvements must be made across the board to address the persistent stereotypes that limit the choices and opportunities of women and girls.

“We welcome the government going beyond workplace-specific issues that have been heavily scrutinised recently such as the gender pay gap to also look at wider issues such as justice, social security, education, health and cultural norms.

“We urge concerted action across government to address all the barriers that continue to hold women back from achieving their full potential.”