Christians must be allowed to wear crosses at work, new government guidance will insist, as ministers clamp down on prejudice against faith.

Religious symbols at work, such as a cross or a hijab, should be allowed as long as they don't affect people's jobs, employers will be told this month. 

Companies should be 'flexible' and 'understanding' in drawing up dress codes for employees, new official guidance will say. Companies must not 'prohibit religious symbols that do not interfere with an employee's work', it will say according to The Sunday Express.

Equalities minister Victoria Atkins will outline the new guidance in an attempt to crack down on 'discriminatory dress codes' such as forcing women to wear high heels, skirts or make-up.

It comes after a report by MPs on the women and equalities committee expressed concern for workers negatively affected by 'discriminatory dress codes'.

'It is clear that the Equality Act 2010 is not yet fully effective in protecting workers from discrimination,' the committee said.

The new guidance, to be published by the government's equalities office, will lay out what companies can and cannot allow in dress codes.

It comes five years after Nadia Eweida won a case against British Airways at the European Court of Human Rights after they asked her to hide her white gold cross at work.

Ms Atkins told the Sunday Express: 'Discrimination in the workplace is not only completely unacceptable but also against the law. We will not stand for it.

'We live in an integrated and cohesive society with a proud tradition of religious tolerance and I want to see that reflected in workplaces across the country.

'As long as it doesn't interfere with someone's work they should just be allowed to get on with the job.'

The Church of England welcomed the decision, adding: 'Christians who wish to show their faith by wearing a cross should be free to do so. Freedom of expression continues to be an important British value.'