VerbatimParliament, as it happens

New Businesses

Asked by Callum AndersonLabourDepartment for Business and TradeTabled Answered 16 September 2024UIN 4887

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to encourage (a) women and (b) people from ethnic minorities to found start-up companies.

Answered by Gareth Thomas

Start-up companies, including those founded by women and people from ethnic minorities, are essential to our economic success.

All businesses can access support through the Business Support Service, the gov.uk website, their local Growth Hub, and Help to Grow.

The Start Up Loans Company, part of the government backed British Business Bank, provides loans and mentoring to new entrepreneurs. Since 2012, over 69,000 loans have been made to women and founders from an ethnic minority background.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim