The rate of redundancies among females is twice that of their male work colleagues.

A study by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) shows female redundancy rose by 2.3 percent last year, almost double the rate of the male increase.

The TUC claims women face a higher risk of redundancy as job losses hit all sectors rather than male dominated industries. It adds there have already been sizable job cuts in the hospitality and retail sectors where large segments of employees are female.

Figures show there are more women in employment now than in previous recessions and many of these are single parent families where the female wage is crucial. Even in stable relationships, 1 in 5 females will be earning more than their male partner.

The TUC has called for the government to protect female employees from being hit hard by the recession and retain the increasingly levels of equality at home and in the workplace.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: 'This is going to be an equal opportunities recession. Job losses in sectors where men predominate such as manufacturing and construction are now being balanced by job losses in retail and hospitality where more women than men work.

"But job losses among men are still more likely to hit the headlines as women tend to work in smaller workplaces where redundancies go unnoticed by the media.

"With so many households absolutely dependent on women's wages the Government must ensure that women benefit in full from programmes to help those facing redundancy and the long term unemployed."