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<p>We are working to ensure we have the right business support for everyone, including
women, to set up and grow a business.</p><p> </p><p>We carry out and publish the Longitudinal
Small Business Survey which provides estimates of ownership of businesses by women.
The 2016 survey can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/small-business-survey-reports"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/small-business-survey-reports</a>.</p><p>
</p><p>Start-Up Loans 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.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>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><p> </p><p>As part of the Industrial Strategy, we will
identify ways to tackle barriers faced by female-led businesses in accessing venture
capital through new behavioural research commissioned by the British Business Bank.</p>
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