Opened the debate
The Bill seeks to confront one of the most urgent and entrenched inequalities in our economy: persistent barriers that women in business continue to face. Despite entrepreneurial spirit, they remain significantly under-represented among recipients of capital and public financial support. In 2024, just 2% of UK equity investment went to female entrepreneurs—a decline on the previous year. Over 80% of venture capital funding is allocated to male-dominated businesses despite research confirming that women-led businesses deliver a 35% better return on investment. Women start businesses with 53% less capital than men and receive smaller loans, facing lower approval rates for funding. The injustice goes beyond numbers; it holds back potential in every community. I propose three core measures to begin dismantling the barriers: transparency and accountability within financial institutions, expanding outreach and setting measurable targets, and requiring a report on access to finance.