Ruth Cadbury – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ruth Cadbury on 2016-04-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he has taken to support the work of the Women’s Business Council; and whether he has incorporated any research recommendations from the Women’s Business Council into government policy and legislative proposals.

Anna Soubry

The Government Equalities Office lead on supporting the work of the Women’s Business Council.

We support the aim of the Council to maximise the contribution of women to economic growth and we are working to ensure we create the right environment for everyone, including women, to set up and grow their own businesses.

Women are able to benefit from the full range of business support available from government, including Start-Up Loans and the New Enterprise Allowance. Over a third of loans (38%) have gone to women. Additionally, the Business is GREAT website has a specific section for women in enterprise providing information on women’s networks, childcare, flexible working, and access to finance.