Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Female-led Businesses

Wednesday 12 July 2023 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Minister is working with Cabinet colleagues to support UK female entrepreneurs by harnessing their skills and innovation.
  • The Government launched a women-led high-growth enterprise taskforce and supports local initiatives such as Medic 1 and Make It Your Business.
  • The UK Government provides advice and support through initiatives like those led by the British Business Bank, aiming to encourage inclusivity in the business support system.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Virginia Crosbie
Business & Trade Women & Equalities
Context

The question arises from a need to address underrepresentation of women in business leadership roles and the importance of increasing female entrepreneurship.

Question

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help increase the number of female-led businesses. I am working to support UK female entrepreneurs, harnessing their skills and innovation. However, we are yet to see concrete actions or specific initiatives that will significantly impact the number of female-led businesses.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I am working with Cabinet colleagues to harness the skills, innovation and talent of UK female entrepreneurs. We launched a women-led high-growth enterprise taskforce building on the Rose review.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not specify concrete steps or initiatives being taken directly by the government.

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Q2 Virginia Crosbie
Business & Trade Women & Equalities
Context

Local successful businesses and supporting organisations in Anglesey have demonstrated success. The question aims to understand how the government is backing such initiatives to broaden their reach.

Question

How are this Government supporting those organisations to broaden their reach and empower even more fabulous female entrepreneurs? We support successful local organisations like Medic 1, Beaumaris Artisan Market, Amlwch Artisan Studio, Beau's Tea Rooms, Make It Your Business, the British Library's Business and IP Centre, the Federation of Small Businesses Wales, and Small Business Saturday UK.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

My hon. Friend mentions some successful initiatives we fully support across the UK. We spoke to the women and enterprise all-party group, discussing how Government investments and taskforces impact female entrepreneurs' lives and businesses.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific government actions supporting organisations mentioned by the questioner.

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Q3 Dave Doogan SNP Angus and Perthshire Glens
Scotland Business & Trade
Context

Pathways, commissioned by the Scottish Government, aims to include underrepresented groups in the business system. The question seeks UK government measures for similar inclusivity.

Question

What steps are the UK Government taking to weave inclusivity through the business support system in a similar fashion to that in Scotland? We need initiatives like Pathways which encourage inclusivity and involve stakeholders such as enterprise agencies, the Scottish National Investment Bank, and private investors.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

We believe businesses are best placed to do that themselves. We provide advice, guidance and support through initiatives like those led by the British Business Bank. However, if there is a specific gap we can address, I would be happy to hear about it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not specify concrete steps or initiatives for inclusivity in the UK business support system.

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Q4 Yasmin Qureshi Lab Bolton South and Walkden
Women & Equalities
Context

The current representation of women in executive roles at FTSE 250 companies is low, indicating a need for intervention to increase gender diversity. The question demands a concrete plan from the government.

Question

Does the Minister have a plan? Under the Conservatives, just 12% of executive directors of FTSE 250 companies are women—a gap that will not close until 2058 at the current rate. Women who want to go into business cannot wait for such slow progress; they need concrete actions like a review of the gender pay gap and a menopause action plan.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I am afraid that the shadow Front-Bench spokeswoman is confusing all sorts of different things. FTSE directors are not the ones who need support getting into the workplace. We have already completed a menopause action plan, while Labour Members just talk about bringing one in.

Not addressed: The answer does not address specific plans for increasing women's representation in FTSE companies but criticises the opposition instead.

How: Attacking The Questioner

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