Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the impact of ending the New Enterprise Allowance programme on the number of women in receipt of benefits starting their own business.

Between April 2011 and December 2020 approximately 99,000 women (41% of all participants) started on the NEA and 59,000 (42%) of these progressed to set up a business. The NEA programme was however, only one form of support and The Department for Work and Pensions does not collect data on the total number of businesses which are started by all benefit recipients.

Alternative support such as the Small Business Helpline in England, Business Wales, Fair Start Scotland and the Start Up Loans Schemes remain available. Support for the self-employed is also built into Universal Credit. Self-employed claimants on Universal Credit receive financial support to supplement their earnings, and during a start-up period, regular support from self-employment work coaches. This includes signposting claimants to tools and resources to develop the skills and experience they need. DWP also partners with local and national organisations so that claimants can access tailored, all-round support.