Two-fifths of British workers would consider setting up their own business if they were made redundant, according to research by Home Learning College.

The research also suggests that Britain’s entrepreneurial gender gap may be closing, as the study shows that women are now almost as likely as men to say they would go it alone if they lost their job – 37% compared to 43%, while in 2008 the Annual Small Business Survey showed that only 14% of British businesses were owned by women.