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<p>The government supports women entrepreneurs, including those running micro-businesses,
and has a number of tax incentives that they benefit from, including Entrepreneurs’
Relief and the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme. The government has also supported
women who are self-employed by raising the personal allowance to £11,850 in 2018-19,
with a commitment to reach £12,500 by 2020-21. In 2018-19, compared to 2015-16, over
700,000 women will be taken out of income tax altogether and 13m women will see their
income tax bill reduced.</p><p> </p><p>We are working to ensure we have the right
support for everyone, including women, to set up and grow a business.</p><p> </p><p>As
part of the Industrial Strategy, we are identifying ways to tackle barriers faced
by female-led businesses in accessing venture capital through new behavioural research
commissioned by the British Business Bank.</p><p> </p><p>Start-Up Loans (SUL) provide
funding and intensive support to new entrepreneurs. As at the end of October 2017,
there were over 20,130 loans issued to women totalling over £132.5m. To date 39% of
start-up loans have been issued to women.</p><p> </p><p>Government has also supported
and invested in the creation of a network of 38 Growth Hubs (one in each Local Enterprise
Partnership area), providing businesses across England with tailored advice and support.
The Business Support Helpline also provides information and guidance to people across
England - 49% of users in the last year (2016-17) were women.</p>
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