The government today launched the Women's Prowess Policy Centre (PNPC) to offer support and guidance to women entrepreneurs.

The centre is the first of its kind in Europe and is receiving over half a million pounds of funding from the Department for Business.

The brief of the PNPC is to increase the number of female entrepreneurs in the UK by promoting best practice and raising awareness and understanding of women's entrepreneurship.

"There are 20% more people in enterprise in America than in Britain, and the majority of that gap is made up of women. Getting more women entrepreneurs is an economic issue, not just an equality issue," said Shriti Vadera, Minister for Competitiveness and Small Business.

"There is a wealth of untapped talent and economic opportunity that could significantly boost the economy in these uncertain times."