§ Stephen HesfordTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what she is doing to increase the number of women setting up their own business; and if she will make a statement. [76228]
§ Ms HewittDTI is addressing the issue of women's enterprise principally through the Small Business Service and its network of Business Link Operators.
SBS has been leading on cross-government work on developing Women in Business policy. It has built up good relations with a number of organisations looking into this area—including the recently formed Prowess which brings together representatives of business support organisations targeting help at female entrepreneurs. Prowess has been supported by my Department's Phoenix fund. The Phoenix Development Fund is funding 96 projects to support innovative approaches to promoting enterprise in disadvantaged areas and under-represented groups, including women. All of the projects are open to women, but 20 focus specifically on their needs.
I attended the formal launch of Prowess on 30 October which highlighted their role in raising awareness of the needs of women entrepreneurs and the need to work towards equal numbers of women and men starting in business.