POLICY BRIEFS
Policy Brief:
Business Support
In Scotland, women-led businesses can face gender inequalities and disparities which are not always recognised when engaging with generalised business support services. Without a focus on inclusivity and an awareness of these barriers, it leaves women underserved and limits the success of their businesses.
WES research indicates that increasing the percentage of women-led businesses by just 10% would add billions of pounds to the economy each year, highlighting the potential impact of providing dedicated business support which sits alongside and complements that which is already available.
Policy Brief:
Pension Provision
As revealed in the WES Survey of Women in Enterprise, many women reported they are paying themselves a low income and applying their savings to their businesses while making no pension provision. The combination of low income, using up personal savings and making no pension provisions highlights a challenging business environment for women seeking to sustain and grow their businesses.
There is an urgent need for change to allow women-led businesses the opportunity to achieve their business aspirations without the risk of pension poverty.
Policy Brief:
Key Economic Sectors - Digital/Technology
and Net Zero
Women-led businesses in Scotland are key to driving economic growth and contributing to the country’s sustainability goals. However, challenges remain in enabling their potential, particularly in the areas of Technology and Digital transformation and transitioning to Net Zero as research shows they face barriers related to access, awareness, and skills.
Addressing these challenges can unlock billions in economic value and accelerate Scotland’s goals to a sustainable, Digital/Technology enabled economy.
Women's enterprise in Scotland and COVID-19: Policy Briefing 1
As with all public health crises, the economic and health impacts of Covid-19 will be gendered.
Women are more likely to take on the ‘second shift’ of care at home, particularly if someone in their family is sick or has to be isolated (either young or elderly) and are more likely to be affected by school and nursery closures. For example, it is women who are most likely to be home-schooling children and checking on people within intergenerational family and friend networks.
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Women's enterprise in Scotland and COVID 19: Policy Briefing 2
The Resolution Foundation estimates that over one-third of Britain’s five million self-employed people may have to stop working either because they work in sectors most heavily affected by social distancing, or in order to care for children who would have otherwise been at school.
Social isolation policies will also increase women and girls’ vulnerability to domestic abuse. 22% of services across the UK report an increase in caseloads since the beginning of the pandemic.
