Recommendations & Conclusions
4 items
4
Recommendation
8th Report - Female entrepreneurship
Acknowledged
We recommend that the British Business Bank should: • have a fifth strategic objective, to ensure that equity finance to female entrepreneurs in the UK increases from 2% to 10% by 2030; • set itself the target of ensuring that no less than 30% of the finance it makes available …
Government response. The government agrees with the committee's recommendations for the British Business Bank but does not commit to immediate changes, stating it will not rule out interventions in the future if investment in female entrepreneurs does not improve.
Government Equalities Office
8
Conclusion
8th Report - Female entrepreneurship
Acknowledged
Innovate UK provides an essential funding stream for mainly male entrepreneurs. Women who seek to access funding from it report their projects being undervalued and subject to biased investment decisions from majority male assessment panels. Match funding requirements exclude women who already struggle to access investment while application processes are …
Government response. The government acknowledges the conclusion by highlighting Innovate UK's existing Women in Innovation Programme, its past successes, and claiming equal success rates for applications. It also notes new actions being taken, such as establishing a Community Forum, launching an assessor …
Government Equalities Office
9
Conclusion
8th Report - Female entrepreneurship
Acknowledged
Public funding structures should challenge gender bias and not reinforce it. Innovate UK should: • ringfence a minimum of 30% of its funding for female entrepreneurs with year on year increases to 40% by 2030; 53 • in the short term lower leverage ratios and reduce match funding requirements for …
Government response. The government welcomes the recommendations and highlights the British Business Bank's new Strategic Plan and existing programmes, such as Start Up Loans, which embed diversity and inclusion to support female entrepreneurs. It commits to continue working with partners to build …
Government Equalities Office
34
Conclusion
8th Report - Female entrepreneurship
Acknowledged
Caregiving responsibilities and the cost and availability of childcare remain significant, yet often overlooked, barriers to female entrepreneurship. Women are disproportionately affected by the demands of caregiving, which limits their time, income, and ability to scale their businesses, particularly during critical growth phases. (Conclusion, Paragraph 135)
Government response. The government acknowledged the conclusion regarding caregiving responsibilities and childcare costs as barriers, outlining a forthcoming Department for Education review of childcare provision, existing schemes like Tax-Free Childcare, and the National Wraparound Childcare program, while also mentioning future plans for …
Government Equalities Office