According to a new report by uSwitch.com, 31% of couples admit that money is the most common cause of domestic disputes, while 34% state that money is the main subject of conversation in the bedroom.

Michael Ossei, personal finance expert at uSwitch.com, said: “It’s a sign of the times that money-talk has made its way into the bedroom.

“With living expenses on the rise and salaries struggling to keep up, financial pressures are a huge weight on our shoulders, not to mention a bug-bear in the bedroom.

“It’s no wonder that couples need to let off steam and share their worries with their other half rather than bury their heads in the sand.

“Letting someone close to you advise you on your finances can help you tackle an issue head on and stop you worrying. But there’s a time and a place to discuss money worries. Leaving it until bedtime does not make for romantic pillow talk and is more often than not likely to lead to a late night argument.”

Quarrels aside, couples are honest about their finances – 91% know how much their other half earns and 70% know how much their partner owes.

Despite 61% of couples sharing a joint bank account, one in five have used the account to pay off their own personal debt.

According to the report, women are still paying less than their male partners when it comes to their share of the bills. 35% of men claim to be the breadwinner compared to just 6% of women.

Only 28% of couples agree to a 50 / 50 split – 27% fund the joint account proportional to their salary.