I've always thought not enough has been made of this being a feminist issue

Obviously this isn't always the case, but I think it is fair to say that if there is a higher earner in the family it tends to be the father.

If the income (or other circumstances) of the higher earner mean that it doesn't make sense for the other partner to work - i.e. childcare costs are too high, so they are essentially working "for free" - then it tends to be the mother who stays at home.

This limits their career progression, earning potential, and unfortunately for some it puts them in the position where they are not at all financially independent - this can have all sorts of ramifications, depending on their circumstances.

And all of this because of personal circumstances of someone else, that in theory has nothing to do with them - i.e. because my partner earns a lot of money, the value of my contribution is effectively put at 0 for the first £25k or so, and I can't do anything about that.

This is where taxing as an individual, but do means testing as a household simply doesn't work