The 'State of Women's Enterprise in the UK' report by business support body Prowess takes a detailed look at female start ups, growth and what is important to women entrepreneurs.

It found that women account for 32.6% of all people moving from employment to self employment, compared to 22.2% in 1990. Women working in education, healthcare and community work were most likely to strike out on their own.

Report author Dr Rebecca Harding of Delta Economics said:

"Research continues to show that the attitudes and motivations that drive women's enterprise are fundamentally different to those that drive men.

"Such differences need to be taken into account in the delivery of business support to women. However, efforts to develop appropriate policy are currently hindered by inadequacies in the evidence base. Data-sets based on gender and ethnicity are urgently needed."