It’s been three weeks since there was a new post on this blog – which is too long – so this is a general catch-up on recent women’s enterprise developments, along with some thoughts on the impending changes within government. Our last blog discussion was on the Strategic Framework – and whether we need a refreshed version. The comments were split between those who felt it was necessary, and those who recognised its value but didn’t think it was necessarily the most urgent priority.
A few weeks ago, we met with Margaret Hodge , the DTI Minister, and discussed a number of issues, including the Framework. Her view was that it would be useful to have a refreshed document, particularly if it engaged effectively across government. And she thought the Task Force should take the lead in its development. It was discussed at the Task Force’s second meeting on 11th May and there was general support from TF members. The DTI’s SBS policy team have now been asked to come up with an implementation plan. Prowessblog will keep you posted on developments (and thanks for all your comments both online and offline).
We discussed various other issues with the Minister including the need for improved data and disaggregated statistics on gender and ethnicity. She’s very keen to see more happening in this area and has been pressing within the DTI to ensure all government-funded business support and financial schemes provide gender information. As blog readers will know, MH is also behind the new drive to recruit 1000 women’s enterprise ambassadors across the country. This seems to be meeting with variable levels of enthusiasm but a London-based event for the ambassadors is now earmarked for 25th June.
Even if you don’t agree with her approach, Margaret Hodge has been one of the most enthusiastic and committed Ministers for women’s enterprise that we’ve had – and it’s almost certain that we’ll lose her when Gordon Brown announces his new Ministerial appointments at the end of June. In fact, the future of the DTI is in question, with a widespread belief that GB has plans to break it up and give a re-vamped Treasury responsibility for economic development and enterprise. Whether or not this happens, we will inevitably be dealing with a different set of politicians and the job of promoting women’s enterprise will have to start all over again. In five years of dialogue with government on WE, we’ve dealt with six different Ministers – and that’s just within DTI. There must be a better way to run the country!
May 31, 2007 at 12:14 pm
I would support the updating of the Strategic Framework for Women’s Enterprise – especially if it could be done cost-effectively, and really capture the direction of travel over the last few years. Prowess’s State of the Regions (07) could provide powerful data and feedback on progress since SOR 05 and help to keep the momentum on the women’s enterprise agenda. We still have so far to go and with the economy entering a more difficult phase, and public spending coming under increased pressure, now is not the time to take the brakes off. We need to remember the end goal, reset our sights (including the largely un-remembered SFWE target for BME women) and continue to push for the recognition of women’s economic contirution to this country through self-employment, and enterprise on all levels including the much-needed provision of local, community-based services.
Regarding the last point about the role and turn-over of Ministers, as a non-exec doing stints in both health (DOH) and skills (DfES) sectors in the early 00’s, ministers will always come and go. As a sector (just like other sectors) we must learn to engage with each and every one of them; appreciate them for what they can and do achieve; recognise that having strong ministerial leadership is always better than none, and that ministers can only justify their existence by announcing constant initiatives and policy/structure changes. I also believe that women ministers and/or anything connected to what’s perceived as a ‘woman’s issue’ will alway attract higher levels of criticism/scepticism from the media, coupled with the inherently insecure life of any ministerial position – so the ‘velocity of ministerial’ appointments is not likely to let up anytime soon. Bit like a box of iffy chocolates, some of them are crap but you finish them off anyway, and look forward to the next box. Bring them on I say!