PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Women's Business Council (21 April 2016)

The Women’s Business Council was established in 2012 to advise the Government on how to support women and maximise their contribution to economic growth. The Ministers for Women and Equalities regularly meet with the Council and its Chair to set strategic direction and support the development of business to business toolkits.

Most recently, we have supported Council members such as Barclays in launching their ‘Come Back’ toolkit for businesses to encourage and support women to return to the workplace after a career break. We have also worked with the Council member from Deloitte in producing the ‘Trailblazers’ transparency report, to share business best practice on tackling the gender pay gap. We have also engaged with Deloitte in their April 2016 report highlighting best practice to support and encourage female entrepreneurs.

The Government has taken into account the Women’s Business Council’s reports and recommendations when developing policy options and programmes. In particular their evidence papers and analysis has informed our policies on closing the gender pay gap, increasing the numbers of women into senior positions and encouraging women and girls to take up STEM qualifications. This builds upon work already done by the Government in line with the Council’s recommendations such as the right to request flexible working and shared parental leave and supporting the National Careers Service in launching the ‘Your Daughter’s Future’ toolkit to raise parental awareness regarding career opportunities for girls and women.