Women are only half as likely to start their own business as men, according to new research by the Women's Enterprise Task Force (WETF).

The research also found that by the time new businesses have been established for two years and set on a growth path, just 13% of companies are owned by female entrepreneurs.

Despite the relative lack of female owned firms, businesses run by women contribute £130bn per annum to the UK economy and experience similar growth patterns and turnover as companies owned by men.