Women's Enterprise Scotland

MANIFESTO 2024

A Manifesto for Accelerating Action on Economic Growth

Our 2024 manifesto is focusing on the critical importance of unlocking the opportunity that women’s enterprise represents and adding billions of pounds to the economy.

As we seek to strengthen our economy, it is imperative that we remove the constraints on women’s enterprise, grasp this vital and timely opportunity for growth and boost economic contribution in communities across the length and breadth of Scotland and the UK.

We at Women’s Enterprise Scotland (WES) are calling for action on
five priority areas to accelerate growth:

1. Dedicated Business Support for Women

2. Robust Access to Funding for Women

3. Access to Care

4. Financial Inclusion

5. Mandatory Assessments, Data, & Monitoring

Increasing the percentage of women-led businesses by just 10% would add billions of pounds to the economy each year.

We call on all candidates and parties to prioritise the actions set out in our five key areas and accelerate action on economic growth.

#WESManifesto
#addbillions

Read our 2024 Manifesto

Pheona Matovu, Founder, Radiant & Brighter

“As women and as black women, we have different experiences which lead us to develop diverse, innovative ideas. Support needs to match our intersecting experiences to power growth.”

Becky Lumsden, Founder, Pure Spa

“The idea women have equitable access to investment is ludicrous. Funding is still my greatest challenge as I scale the business.”

Anja Baak, Founder, Great Glen Charcuterie

“Women are the biggest opportunity for growing the economy and our support infrastructure should step up and reflect this”.

Allison Harrison, Entrepreneur in Residence, University of Stirling

“Running a business should not mean running the risk of pension poverty. We need to stop the endless talking and get a grip on actions for change.”

Carolyn Currie, CEO, Women’s Enterprise Scotland

“Commitments in economic strategies are at odds with everyday reality and the principle of a fair, proportionate share of resources.”

Media Coverage on our Manifesto

WES launches manifesto as enterprise gender gap widens - Insider.co.uk

'Manifesto for Accelerating Action' launched as gender gap in enterprise widens - Scottish ...

Scottish Business News

Here are five ways the next UK government could support female entrepreneurs

The Scotsman

Here are five ways the next UK government could support female entrepreneurs - MSN

MSN

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