In April, Dr Stephenson wrote to the Treasury to complain about the “gendered nature” of cuts to disability benefits, which she said would “force women out of the workforce”.

The same month, she signed a letter organised by the charity Together with Refugees, which said Sir Keir should abandon Labour’s “smash the gangs” policy in favour of more legal routes for asylum seekers travelling to the UK.

The letter said: “Rather than the border security summit’s focus on expensive new ways to disrupt people smugglers, often making the journey more dangerous for refugees, the government should be looking at safe routes for refugees to get here without risking their lives.”

It also called criticism of refugees a relic of “hostile politics, racist rhetoric and demonising language of the past”.

Open letter for wealth tax

Dr Stephenson’s political views will probably put her on a collision course with the Government, which has pledged to bring down net migration and explicitly ruled out a wealth tax.

Last October, she joined campaigners in signing another open letter organised by Greenpeace, which called for Ms Reeves to “introduce a new tax on assets for the super wealthy and ensure that the wealthiest individuals in our society contribute their fair share”.

It said: “This would reduce the stark inequalities in this country and help raise the vital funds needed to ensure that the transition to a greener, cleaner, more prosperous future is fair for everyone at home and abroad.”

Dr Stephenson currently serves as director of the Women’s Budget Group, which campaigns against economic policies that it views as anti-feminist.

In April, its website published an article calling for the introduction of a four-day week, which the author said would “promote gender equality”.

The group also claimed Britain’s public transport system was stacked against women because men took more train journeys.

She previously worked as director of the Fawcett Society, the women’s campaign group, and the Early Education and Childcare Coalition.

Over 30 years experience

Dr Stephenson will now face scrutiny by MPs on the women and equalities and human rights committees, and will replace Baroness Falkner as chair of the EHRC in November if she is appointed.

Responding to the announcement that she is the Government’s preferred candidate, she said: “I am honoured to be named the Government’s preferred candidate to be the new chair for the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

“The EHRC plays an integral role in protecting and advancing equalities and I am deeply committed to furthering this work as chair.

“With over 30 years working on equalities and human rights, I am confident that I will bring a breadth of experience and insight to the role.”