A ministerial promise to kick start a "new women's movement" by recruiting an "army" of businesswomen to promote entrepreneurship has met a sceptical response.

Margaret Hodge, the in-dustry minister, portrayed the government's plans to set up a network of female entrepreneurs in dramatic terms: 1,000 volunteers intended to form the network would act as an "army of businesswomen activists", Ms Hodge told a Brighton conference. "This will lead to a new women's movement that will push back gender barriers and give women the confidence and support they need to start a business."