Oral Answers to Questions

Alan Mak Excerpts

Thursday 15th October 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mark Spencer (Sherwood) (Con)]

4. What steps the Government are taking to support more women in setting up their own businesses.

[Mr Alan Mak (Havant) (Con)]

5. What steps the Government are taking to support more women in setting up their own businesses.

[Alex Chalk (Cheltenham) (Con)]

14. What steps the Government are taking to support more women in setting up their own businesses.

--- Later in debate ---

[Caroline Dinenage]

Well, Mr Speaker, the Secretary of State is nodding furiously at me so I will take that as a yes. We have been celebrating and showcasing women in business as a great way of inspiring the next generation and, of course, we have set up the new business and enterprise company as a great way of showing girls the fantastic careers available to them in both business and enterprise.

[Mr Mak]

I thank the Minister for her original answer. Women entrepreneurs such as Jodie Sheppard from my Havant constituency, who has launched a business helping to improve children’s fitness, are excellent local role models. Does the Minister agree that organisations such as the Women’s Business Council offer excellent support for our women business leaders, and will the Government continue to work hard to help women who want to start their own business?

[Caroline Dinenage]

Jodie Sheppard, who founded Active8 Minds in Havant, is an excellent example of a capable woman running her own business and will, I am sure, be delighted with the fantastic plug her MP has given her business today. I certainly agree that the Women’s Business Council has a vital role in supporting women to reach their potential. We know that if women started their own businesses at the same rate as men do, we would have an extra 1 million women involved and an extra 1 million businesses in the UK.