News

Bureaucratic hold-up threatens Government women's enterprise strategy

Enterprise training doubles likelihood of business start-ups

Impact of US Women's Business Centers revealed

Married couples business tax "bad for business, bad for women"

Local authority incentive to support new businesses

Japan targets women entrepreneurs

Positive signs for female entrepreneurs in ICT

Sharp increase in new female Business Champions

Launch of new resource centre for women in SECT

A third of British adults are eBay entrepreneurs

Prowess members news

New Women's Enterprise Centre

Business Women's Network Northern Ireland (BWN NI)

WiRE wins prestigious Queens Award

New approach to delivering women's enterprise support

Calling Women Business Owners and Women SME Managers in England

Success for Welland Women

Innovative business support programme for women over 50

Events/Awards/
Research/Vacancies/New Members/

News

Bureaucratic hold-up threatens Government women's enterprise strategy Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) have not yet recieved the funding allocation from the DTI for Phoenix Development Fund (PDF) for business support for under-represented and disadvantaged groups in 2006 - 07 and 2007 - 08, amounting to several million pounds on a national level. While Government sits on this public money, excellent providers of women-friendly business support are facing closure. Prowess has formed a coalition with other national bodies including Social Enterprise Coalition, Black Training and Enterprise Group, NFEA and PRIME to lobby Government on this issue. A briefing paper and a sample letter to send to your MP can be downloaded from the members section of the Prowess website: http://www.prowess.org.uk/members/members.htm An interim Evaluation of the Phoenix Development Fund demonstrates that PDF projects had particular success in reaching women and ethnic minority clients. Fifty-seven per cent of the 800 clients surveyed were women. Click here to download 'An Evaluation of the Phoenix Development fund'.

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Enterprise training doubles likelihood of business start - ups Women who have undergone some form of enterprise training are twice as likely to be engaged in entrepreneurial activity (6.9% compared to 3.3%) according to the latest report from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. For the first time GEM UK examined the impact of enterprise training (within schools, colleges, universities and work placements) on levels of entrepreneurship. Overall the survey finds no change in female entrepreneurship levels, with the TEA index staying at 3.9%. Other findings show that: women in rural areas are nearly twice as likely to be entrepreneurial than those living in urban areas and Black African women are significantly more entrepreneurial than women from other ethnic groups. To download GEM UK 2005 visit: http://www.gemconsortium.org/ Prowess members can download a summary of findings relating to female entrepreneurhsip by visiting the Members section of the Prowess website: http://www.prowess.org.uk/members/memberlogin.asp

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Impact of US Women's Business Centers revealed US Women's Business Centers (WBCs) are making a significant and measurable economic impact according to new research. For a Federal investment of $36.5 million over three years, a total of $500 million in gross business receipts were generated - a nearly 14:1 ratio of business revenues to Federal dollars invested. The findings also show that WBCs saw no difference in outcomes if there was a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) nearby, indicating WBCs are serving different populations with different needs. The findings are included in a research briefing issued by Womenable, which for the first time draws together all major research on the WBC programme. Download The Performance, Progress and Promise of Women's Business Centers in the U.S at: http://www.build-it-for-me-wsndesign.com/womenable.com/ResearchinBrief_WBC_studies.pdf

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Married couples business tax "bad for business, bad for women" The Conservative Party's Small Business spokesman, Mark Prisk MP is challenging the Government's approach to Section 660 the so-called 'married couple's business tax' branding it 'bad for business and bad for women'. The Inland Revenue is using Section 660 to claim that married couples who work in family businesses, performing distinct roles should both be taxed at the fee-earners higher tax rate. In effect this means that in most cases a wife's salary is being treated as just part of her husband's income. Mr Prisk refers to this as 'an attack on the independent taxation of women'. The issue has come to light due to a high profile legal case in which Artic Systems won a challenge in the Court of Appeal against the Inland Revenue, who are demanding the company pay £42,000 in retrospective tax. The Inland Revenue is now appealing the decision and pursuing the case in the House of Lords. The final decision will have major consequences for thousands of small businesses. For further information about Section 660 visit: http://www.shout99.com/contractors/index.pl?section=65&n=205

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Local authority incentive to support new businesses A new programme aimed at encouraging business growth has been launched by the ODPM. The Local Authroity Business Growth Incentives (LAGBI) scheme provides an incentive for local authorities to promote economic growth in their area by allowing them to be rewarded for an increase in rateable value, above a certain level. Currently revenue from business rates recieved by local authorities is paid to central government, and then redistrubuted. "Every Local Authority now has a direct financial incentive to promote enterprise and the growth of small and medium sized businesses in the local community" says John Healey, Financial Secretary to the Treasury. Details of the LABGI scheme can be found at: www.local.odpm.gov.uk/finance/labgi.htm

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Japan targets women entrepreneurs The Japanese Government has unveiled plans to increase the number of female entrepreneurs under a new Gender Equality Plan. By increasing support for women in employment and self-employment the Government hopes to halt Japan's declicing birth rate. The new plans are expected to make it easier for women to combine having a family with working life. Currently over two-thirds of Japanese women do not return to work after childbirth. http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4561726.stm

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Positive signs for female entrepreneurs in ICT Forty-one per cent of women, when asked what their dream start-up business would be, said an 'internet company'. The next two most popular choices, at 25% each, were a cafe/bar or an events company. The findings appear in a survey carried out by Norwich Union, in which over 1500 women were asked about their attitudes towards entrepreneurship. The study also found that 61% of respondents said they would 'feel far more in control of their lives if they were their own boss'. For further details see: www.norwichunionselfemployed.co.uk

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Sharp increase in new female Business Champions Following a big recruitment drive, there has been a large increase in the number of new female Business Champions in the East Midlands. Business women were 35% of new recruits in the past year and now represent a quarter of all Business Champions. Over 500 Champions work across the East Midlands volunteering their commercial expertise and mentoring growing businesses. To find out more about the East Midlands Business Champion scheme visit www.businesschampions.org.uk or call 0115 988 8362.

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Launch of new resource centre for women in SECT This month sees the launch of a new resource centre in North Wales dedicated to supporting women wanting to work in Science, Engineering, Construction and Technology (SECT). The centre will provide practical and innovative solutions to imrproving the gender balance in SECT. "Through our Return Campaign we will particularly target women wishing to return to SECT after a career break, either through self-employment or employment" says Jenny Hunter, JIVE Coordinator in Wales. For further details see: http://www.womensworkshop.org.uk/jive.html

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A third of British adults are eBay entrepreneurs Figures released by the online auction site eBay show that 1 in 3 British adults have registered with the site and 70,000 people use eBay as a means to make a living. eBay entrepreneurs are typically small business owners who use the auctions to boost their company's sales. According to eBay Chief Exectuive Meg Whitman "many entrepreneurs, as well, are women who have left the workforce after having children and use eBay as a way to run a business from their home".

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New Research

Vacancies

Chair for the Task Force on Women's Enterprise

The Chair will be required to provide leadership for the Task Force when it becomes operational in Spring 2006 and to work with its members in providing impartial advice on a range of issues related to women's enterprise. The Task Force will be addressing specific practical steps, which can improve the women's enterprise landscape and lead to a longer-term culture change. The closing date for applications is 4.00 pm on Monday 6 March. To request an application form and job description email: womensenterprisetaskforce@dti.gsi.gov.uk. Completed application forms should be sent to Bill Hallahan at the Small Business Service, Women's Enterprise Policy Team, Bay 183, I Victoria Street, London, SW1H OET. Email: bill.hallahan@sbs.gsi.gov.uk Fax: 020 7215 676

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