The country’s biggest public businesses may soon have to publish the gap between the pay of their chief executive and an average worker.

Business Secretary Greg Clark says directors of all companies with more than 250 employees will be required to disclose and explain this difference – known as the “pay ratio”.

In recent years shareholders have become increasingly vocal over executive pay levels, and have voted against what they see as excessive pay awards, most notably the high sums paid to former WPP boss, Sir Martin Sorrell.