Your questions answered by the Co-Chairs of the National Women’s Enterprise Taskforce
Earlier this year Jeremy Paxman had his chance to question the aims of the National Women’s Enterprise Task Force when Co-chair Glenda Stone appeared on Newsnight, sparking the ‘Passion or Profit’ women’s enterprise debate. Commenting on the experience Glenda said “Being interviewed by Paxman was tough but the publicity it generated was fantastic, we welcome controversy because it means more people will hear about the women’s enterprise debate, some groups of women are afraid to mention the ‘M’ word...money, yes we want more women owned companies but if they are not making money are they really businesses?”
We felt it was time for Prowess members to have their chance to question the Task Force about the issues that matter most to them.
The Task Force was launched by the Government to drive forward the women’s enterprise agenda across Government departments and the regions. The co-Chairs are Glenda Stone, CEO of Aurora and Pam Alexander, Chief Executive of SEEDA. This high level double-act ensures the Task Force has both a policy and practical focus.
According to Pam “Change is happening but it’s not happening fast enough, the Task Force includes dynamic, inspirational and influential leaders, we want to change attitudes across Whitehall and the City”. Glenda says “We are asking Prowess members for their questions because we want to involve people as much as possible and be as transparent as possible. Above all else we want to connect up good practice and ensure the Task Force is effective in increasing the quality and scaleability of women’s enterprise in the UK”.
Anon asks: Many of the women we support are trying to move from benefits to self-employment. One of the biggest barriers for them is that there doesn't seem to be a clear system for doing this for self-employment specifically – our clients are told different things by different contacts within the benefits system. Is there an awareness of this problem at Task Force level, and what plans are there to change this?
Glenda and Pam reply: Please be assured this is firmly on our radar! One of the Task Force pillars for action is to ensure all women in every region have access to the support they need and this includes the transition from benefits. We will be working with partners such as Job Centre Plus, Business Links, and Prowess to understand what the issues are and lobby for action to resolve them.
Rosemary French, Chief Executive, BLS (Surrey) Ltd asks: The largest number of women start-ups in England go through a Business Link service rather than any other. It would appear that each region is 'doing its own thing for women'. How will the Business Link offer of business support to women thinking of starting a business and early stage start-ups be consistent across England and not subject to a post code lottery?
Glenda and Pam reply: The RDAs are responsible for delivering the Business Link service within their respective regions, ensuring consistency in line with the shared Framework and national core service offer. The intensity to which each element of the core service offer will be delivered in the respective regions will be determined by the individual RDAs, taking into account available funding and the regional priorities in their Economic Strategies.
As a minimum the core offer to start-ups will include:
- National start-up pack.
- Initial start up workshops/events covering core subject areas.
- Based on need and appropriateness, face-to-face diagnostic with adviser to assess business ideas and skill needs.
Each RDA, in agreement with its local Business Link Provider, will determine what, if any, additional activity will be provided over the national core. The Task Force will work closely with the RDAs and Business Links to ensure women in every region have access to the support they need.
The National Federation of Enterprise Agencies asks: What progress has been made in recruiting the women entrepreneur ambassadors, as announced by Margaret Hodge MP?
Glenda and Pam reply: We are pleased to report that the Ambassadors' Programme has been exceptionally well received. The Minister is delighted with the interest from women across the country. A wide variety of ambassadors will offer role models and experience to inspire other women in business. The Minister hosted an event in London on 25 June to celebrate the network – over 1,000 ambassadors' have been recruited already! RDAs are coordinating the Ambassadors' Programme within the regions.
Dr. Birgit Kehrer, Women into Business Development Officer, Breathing Space Ltd asks: As far as I understand, the Women's Enterprise Task Force has no funding from government or regional development agencies. A) Is this true? B) If yes, does this not show a significant NON- committal in real terms by the government to this task force and, by implication - to issues related to women's enterprise?
Glenda and Pam reply: The Task Force has a small operational budget from BERR and is staffed by SEEDA. The Task Force is not a delivery body - the RDAs are the primary delivery partner for women's enterprise support. The Task Force provides high level leadership and advocacy to guide action on the ground, and brings together the public and private sectors to tackle key issues – lobbying for action where needed. The Task Force has had strong commitment from Government Ministers.
Zainab Yasmeen (Creative Minds Business Consultancy Ltd) asks: How will the Task Force ensure that they harness and support the potential amongst the BAME business community in the UK and ensure that they are represented and their views are being placed on the agenda?
Glenda and Pam reply: The Task Force members represent views across all groups, including ethnic minorities. Where particular opportunities or needs are identified, we will work with our RDA and Business Link partners to ensure support is available to meet that group's needs. On 19 June, Margaret Hodge MP launched a new national Ethnic Minority Business Task Force chaired by Adeeba Malik MBE, Deputy CEO at QED-UK, with Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Forward as Deputy. We will be working with this group to ensure a comprehensive approach to women's enterprise.
Marcella Maxwell, Chief Executive, Chwarae Teg asks: How can we ensure that issues relating to the women's enterprise agenda in Wales and other devolved nations are picked up by the Task Force and not just the concerns of the English RDAs?
Glenda and Pam reply: The Task Force covers the whole of the UK and is working not only with the RDAs but also the three Devolved Administrations. The women's enterprise leads in both RDAs and Devolved Administrations meet regularly as a group to review national developments, regional good practice, and will now be working with us as an Advisory Group.