The report outlines government policy on supporting women's self-employment and business ownership and considers whether the current policy aims are justified. It assesses the levels of female enterprise in the UK compared to the other G7 countries over the past five years and finds that the gap between male and female entrepreneurship in the UK has closed and the UK no longer has the widest gap. It examines the complexity of women's enterprise, looking at the role of regions in delivering policy, and enterprise in ethnic minority communities. Case studies of the experience of female entrepreneurs are included.

The report builds on the progress made in recent years to increase the number of women-owned businesses in the UK and aims to provide insights which can inform future policy and practice.

The research was based on statistical analysis of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor UK data since 2002 and a qualitative survey of twenty practitioners, academics and analysts.

The report was supported by the SIED Partnership under the European Social Fund, Equal Community Initiative Programme.

Overall levels of female entrepreneurship have remained consistent over the past three years and although attitudes have changed, women are still less likely than men to think that they have the skills to start a business and they are more likely to fear failure.

Amongst recommendations for future policy were the following:

Prowess
Phone: +44 1603 762355
admin@prowess.org.uk

01/11/2006

Rebecca Harding (Global Entrepreneurship Monitor)

research

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Urban economy

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