Written question asked by Ian Gibson (Labour) on Tuesday, 29 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 1 December 2005. It was answered by Alun Michael (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 December 2005 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Business Start-ups (Women)

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of changes to Phoenix funding on his target of 20 per cent. of business start-ups being undertaken by women by 2006, with particular reference to the Women's Employment, Enterprise and Training Unit in the Norwich North constituency.

Answer: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is confident that the target of 20 per cent. of businesses being female owned by 2006 will be reached.The Phoenix Fund was introduced as a time-limited programme to help build good practice on business support for under-represented groups including women. The Small Business Service is working with the Regional Development Agencies to pull through this good practice to improve access to the full range of business support services for women.

Secondary information