A Culture of Enterprise
The Government’s vision is for many more people in the UK to have the opportunity, aspiration and motivation to use their talent and initiative to be enterprising and have an increased proportion of people starting a business.
Information on this page relates to policies of the previous government and may not be up to date.
We are seeking to achieve this through the following:
Women make up 51% of the UK population and 47% of those active in the labour market, but are under represented in participation in enterprise and offer a wealth of untapped talent and economic opportunity. Just over a million women are self-employed, up by 17% since 2000. Despite this progress, the gap between male and female entrepreneurship in the UK remains stubbornly wide – men are still almost twice as likely to start businesses as women, and the gap is wider still for young women. If the UK matched US levels of female entrepreneurship, there would be 900,000 more businesses in the UK.
Recent evidence shows that the overall numbers of people in self-employment fell in the first half of 2008, but have started to rise again from the third quarter of 2008. This trend is mostly due to increases in female self-employment levels (up by 50,000, or 5% between Q3 08 and Q2 09), whilst the number of men in self-employment has remained more stable (down slightly by 27,000, or 1% between Q3 08 and Q2 09).
BIS is working to promote women's enterprise with the Regional Development Agencies, through their national Business Link network. Activities and products to support women's enterprise are available via the Business Link website or by speaking with an advisor on 0845 600 9 006.
Established in 2006, The Women's Enterprise Task Force was set up by BIS to increase the quantity, scalability and success of women-owned businesses in the UK. The Task Force had a remit to advise Government on practical steps to accelerate the development and growth of women’s and businesses. They have now reported on their remit and the event on 3 November provided a launch platform for the Government’s response to their recommendations.
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BIS’s delivery partner, Enterprise Insight aims to develop a culture of enterprise in the UK by running national campaigns promoting the spirit of enterprise. Current campaigns focus on:
The Now – helping the UK out of recession by highlighting entrepreneurial opportunities, by moving people into being entrepreneurial now.
The Future – Make your Mark prepares the next generation of enterprising Brits. It equips and inspires young people to be entrepreneurial through life-changing experiences and role models
Local –helps more places to become enterprising more quickly by sharing the good practice from the Enterprising Britain competition
Global – maintains the momentum of Global Entrepreneurship Week to give enterprising people in the UK a global perspective and contacts
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Global Entrepreneurship Week will run for the second time from 16-22 November 2009
Global Entrepreneurship Week brings together university students, school pupils, teachers and lecturers, entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, employees, non-profit organisations and many others to celebrate and promote entrepreneurship across the globe.
There is a growing movement of entrepreneurs who seek to generate new ideas and better ways of doing things, and there is potential for millions of young people around the world to join this movement. With the goal of inspiring young people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity, Global Entrepreneurship Week encourages youth to think globally at an early age, to turn their ideas into reality, and to make their mark.
Global Entrepreneurship Week builds on the success of the UK’s Enterprise Week and is hosted by more than 70 countries worldwide.
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The Government is working with the Premier League and Enterprise Insight to build on the successful enterprise promotion work started by Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers football clubs.
Clubs use football as a key engagement tool to introduce young people to the world of work and enterprise.
As a result of their participation students benefit from improved enterprise skills, more self-confidence and raised aspirations. Manchester City, Aston Villa, Hull City and Newcastle United have launched programmes under Premier League Enterprise– many other Premier League clubs are expected to take part.
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The Government works with key partners including PRIME (the Prince’s Initiative for Mature Entrepreneurs), Enterprise Insight and the East Midlands Development Agency to reach out and encourage older people to realise the benefits of unlocking their talent and exploiting their skills and knowledge to be active in enterprise.
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Enterprising Britain is a nationwide competition to find the most enterprising place in the UK - the city, town, place or area in the country that is best improving economic prospects and encouraging enterprise.
It aims to:
- Identify and recognise successful activities and initiatives undertaken to promote enterprise and entrepreneurship
- Showcase and share examples of best practice in enterprise policy and implementation
- Create a higher awareness of the importance of enterprise and entrepreneurship in society
- Identify the UK entry to the European Enterprise Awards
Enterprising Britain has been developed in consultation across central government and in partnership with the Regional Development Agencies and Devolved Administrations and was run for the first time in 2004/5.
Enterprising Britain has two distinct stages:
- A regional competition managed by the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and Devolved Administrations
- A national competition managed by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
The winner of Enterprising Britain goes forward to take part in the European Enterprise Awards.
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