The Lilac Review

The Lilac Review, launched in February 2024, is an independent initiative aimed at tackling the inequality faced by disabled-led businesses and levelling up entrepreneurial opportunities across the UK. Spearheaded by Small Business Britain and supported by the UK Government, this review seeks to identify and dismantle the barriers that hinder disabled entrepreneurs from thriving.

Objectives of The Lilac Review

Over its initial two-year period, the Lilac Review will:

Conduct Extensive Research

Engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including disabled entrepreneurs and the broader business community, to understand the specific challenges and opportunities faced by disabled-led businesses.

Drive Meaningful Action

Mobilise businesses, organisations, and public sector bodies to commit to significant changes, particularly in the business support landscape.

Develop Best-Practice Materials: Create and disseminate toolkits and resources to ensure support for disabled entrepreneurs is as accessible and inclusive as possible.

Key Findings and Potential Impact

The review highlights that disabled entrepreneurs represent approximately 25% of the UK's 5.5 million small businesses but only account for 8.6% of total small business turnover. Improving opportunities for these entrepreneurs could unlock an additional £230 billion for the UK economy. Significant barriers identified include higher start-up costs, challenges in accessing funding, and the burden of proving disability repeatedly (Lilac Review, 2024).

Leadership and Governance

The Lilac Review is jointly chaired by Kevin Hollinrake MP, Minister for Small Business; Mims Davies MP, Minister for Disabled People; and Victoria Jenkins, founder and CEO of Unhidden. The steering board includes disabled founders and representatives from the wider business community and UK Government.

Interim and Final Reports

Interim findings from the Lilac Review will be published in summer 2024, with a final report expected at the end of 2025. These reports will provide comprehensive recommendations and a call-to-action to foster a more inclusive entrepreneurial environment for disabled individuals.

For more detailed information about the Lilac Review and its initiatives, you can visit the official website: The Lilac Review.

By addressing these challenges and advocating for significant changes, the Lilac Review aims to create a more equitable and supportive landscape for disabled entrepreneurs, ensuring they have the opportunity to succeed and contribute meaningfully to the economy.