Local MP Mary Macleod welcomed the Government’s plans to provide additional support to encourage women’s enterprise.

The Home Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities, Theresa May, announced last week that funding will be provided for 5,000 mentors to help new and existing female entrepreneurs. Specially trained mentors will be able to address particular concerns of female entrepreneurs, such as access to finance, building confidence, achieving a work life balance and working from home.

In her speech, Theresa May said: “currently women are only half as likely as men to become entrepreneurs. If we fully used the skills and qualifications of women who are out of work, it could deliver economic benefits of fifteen to twenty one billion pounds per year. That’s more than double the value of all our annual exports to China.”

Alongside the mentors for entrepreneurs, the Government is taking other important action to back women in work including establishing a Women’s Business Council to provide advice to Government on how to maximize women’s contribution to economic growth. They have also taken action to extend flexible working to all employees, allowing mothers and fathers to choose how they want to share parental leave after having a baby.

Mary commented: “I raised the issue of how to encourage more women to set up their own businesses during Prime Minister’s Questions. The Prime Minister replied saying that a change of culture is required, together with support for women along the way. I fully agree and welcome the Government’s announcements of additional support for entrepreneurial women.

“It’s Global Entrepreneurship Week from 14th to 20th November – a great opportunity to encourage people with business ideas to come forward. I am organising some Female Entrepreneurs’ Breakfast meetings in the constituency over the next few months for women wanting to start their own business who would like business advice and top tips on how to go about it.  Do contact me via

[email protected] if you are interested in coming along. I would also recommend that you contact the Hounslow Chamber of Commerce to find out about their Women in Business networking events – another great way to meet other like-minded businesswomen.

“We have some amazingly talented women locally and we just can’t afford to overlook the talents, skills and experience of women - that’s why it’s important that we do all we can to encourage more women into business.”