Quarter of women to become breadwinner

ONE in four women will be the main breadwinner in their homes within 20 years as women take on more responsibility for household finances than ever before, it has been predicted.

A report published today by insurer Axa reveals that over a quarter of women with financially dependent children now have sole responsibility for paying the family mortgage and 30 per cent are responsible for the main household bills. Its research also found that 25 and 29 per cent are solely responsible for children's education and childcare costs respectively.

More than a third of women without financially dependant children are now solely responsible for their mortgage and a similar proportion are in charge of paying the main household bills, including energy and council tax.