Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
8th Report - Female entrepreneurship
Women and Equalities Committee
HC 711
Published 22 October 2025
Recommendations
6
Accepted in Part
Require British Business Bank to mandate data on equitable investment decisions for female-led businesses.
Recommendation
In the immediate term, the British Business Bank must take more of an interest in whom its funding supports. Venture capital firms and angel investors that benefit from public funding should be required to demonstrate gender-equitable investment decisions. The British …
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Government Response Summary
The government states the British Business Bank's new Strategic Plan emphasizes diversity and inclusion, and the Bank already strengthens data collection and encourages responsible investment practices. It also highlights existing initiatives like Start Up Loans and the new Investor Pathways Capital initiative to support diverse founders and decision-makers.
Government Equalities Office
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13
Accepted in Part
Set a 10% target for public contracts awarded to female-led businesses by Parliament end.
Recommendation
The Government should set itself a target for the proportion of public contracts awarded to female-led businesses similar to initiatives in Canada, the US and Nordic countries. Given the low base we suggest a target of at least 10% by …
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Government Response Summary
The government accepts in part, stating that central government departments must set three-year targets for direct spend with SMEs and two-year targets for VCSEs, which they claim will benefit female-led businesses. However, they do not commit to a specific target for female-led businesses as recommended.
Government Equalities Office
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17
Accepted in Part
Awareness and take-up of SEIS/EIS tax incentives remain low among women investors.
Recommendation
Tax incentives such as SEIS and EIS have proven effective in stimulating investment. Yet awareness, accessibility and take-up remain lower among women investors and outside of the South East. To achieve meaningful change, government and industry must work together to …
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Government Response Summary
The government is working with the Invest in Women Taskforce to amplify awareness of EIS/SEIS schemes to eligible women-led businesses. Additionally, it has launched a Call for Evidence on the effectiveness of existing tax incentives and the wider tax system for businesses, which will close in February 2026.
Government Equalities Office
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29
Accepted in Part
Launch a national campaign highlighting female role models and promoting the Invest in Women Hub.
Recommendation
Alongside a strategy on female entrepreneurship, the Government should launch a national campaign highlighting female role models at all stages of the entrepreneurial journey. It also needs to better promote the Invest in Women Hub. (Recommendation, Paragraph 113) Caregiving and …
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Government Response Summary
The government supports showcasing female role models and promoting the Invest in Women Hub, stating it will achieve this by amplifying industry-led initiatives and coordinating efforts with existing taskforces and the Hub, rather than launching its own national campaign.
Government Equalities Office
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37
Accepted in Part
Review adequacy of childcare support for self-employed mothers, including tax deductibility and flexibility.
Recommendation
The Government should undertake a review of the adequacy of existing childcare support for self-employed mothers. That review should consider: the potential merits of making childcare a tax-deductible expense, if only 58 for an initial period; expanding free hours of …
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Government Response Summary
The government confirms the Department for Education will lead a review of childcare provision to simplify the system and highlights existing Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) for self-employed parents. However, it does not explicitly commit the review to the specific considerations for self-employed mothers, such as tax-deductibility or 0-3 month nannying, and states no current plans to regulate nannies.
Government Equalities Office
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41
Accepted in Part
Address gender bias in STEM curriculum and increase female role model visibility.
Recommendation
Women and girls remain underrepresented in STEM subjects and less likely to pursue entrepreneurship in this field. The Government and higher education institutes should work to address gender bias in curriculum design in STEM subjects and strive to increase the …
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Government Response Summary
The Department for Education is reforming the curriculum to embed diverse scientists and innovators, addressing gender bias in STEM subjects. The government also points to its partnership with the Tomorrow’s Engineers Code and the long-running STEM Ambassadors programme, which includes 48% women volunteers, to increase role model visibility.
Government Equalities Office
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