THE DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM (BERR)

The role of The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) is to enable and promote business success, boost productivity and advance the flow of national and international trade and investment in the UK.

BERR also works to influence Government and European policy in a way which puts the UK’s economic interests first.

A growing issue on the economic agenda has been to raise the entrepreneurial activities of UK women and other underrepresented cultural groups with an aim to increasing the overall number of UK-owned businesses contributing to the gross national product.

Women make up 51% of the UK population and 47% of those active in the labour market but are still half as likely to open a business then men.

BERR has and is continuing to build relationships with a number of UK organisations working to reduce barriers to entry and growth of women-run-businesses; who offer a wealth of untapped talent and economic opportunity.

NPCWE is funded by BERR.

DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DCLG)

Communities and Local Government aims to create thriving, sustainable, vibrant communities and sets policy on local government, housing, urban regeneration, planning and fire and rescue. The DCLG has responsibility for all race equality and community cohesion, building regulations, fire safety and some housing issues in England and Wales.

As part of its responsibility on gender equality the DCLG publishes its Gender Equality Scheme which is a part of the reform process to promote equality of opportunity and eliminate discrimination.

The public sector duty on gender equality has now placed public authorities on the front-foot in promoting equality of opportunity and embedding a culture change in employment practices and service delivery.

DEPARTMENT FOR INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS (DIUS)

Independent studies show that companies that don't invest in growth, research and development during a recession are 2.5 times more likely to fail than those that do. Whereas business that invest often emerge stronger and more competitive than they were before the recession.

DIUS enables businesses to grow and succeed by supporting the organisations that exploit talent and innovation: including further education colleges, universities, research bodies, funding institutions and many more.

DIUS aims to build a dynamic, knowledge based economy and draw together the nation's strengths in colleges, research, science and universities.

DIUS works closely with other departments (including the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF), Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) and Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and others).

DEPARTMENT FOR WORK AND PENSIONS (DWP)

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is the largest government department in the UK, created on June 8, 2001, from the merger of the employment part of the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Social Security. It is currently headed by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, a Cabinet position.

The DWP promotes opportunity and independence for all, helps individuals achieve their potential through employment and works to end poverty in all its forms.

GOVERNMENT EQUALITIES OFFICE (GEO)

The Government Equalities Office (GEO) is a government department, whose mission is to put equality at the heart of government. The GEO is responsible for the Government's overall strategy on equality as well as women’s issues across Government. The Department sponsors the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and Women’s National Commission (WNC). The GEO reports to the Ministers for Women and Equality, Harriet Harman, Maria Eagle and Vera Baird.

HER MAJESTY’S REVENUE & CUSTOMS (HMRC)

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) was formed on the 18 April 2005, following the merger of Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise Departments.

The HMRC collects and administers UK taxes and a limited range of benefits.

OFFICE OF THE THIRD SECTOR (OTS)

The Office of the Third Sector (OTS) is part of the Cabinet Office and leads work across government to support the environment for a thriving third sector (voluntary and community groups, social enterprises, charities, cooperatives and mutuals), enabling the sector to campaign for change, deliver public services, promote social enterprise and strengthen communities.

The OTS was created at the centre of government in May 2006 in recognition of the increasingly important role the third sector plays in both society and the economy. It backs social enterprise as the model to show how “business with a conscience” can be done and within the jaws of the global financial beast it continues to champion the case for alternative business models with a reductive view on financial gain.