Government Ambassador for Women in Enterprise and Liberal Democrat MP Lorely Burt says there is a need for more female Muslim entrepreneurs.

It comes after a study by the Muslim Council of Britain revealed 70% of Muslim women aged 16-24 are not in employment. This compares with 14.3% of the population as a whole.

MP Lorely Burt said, “The Liberal Democrats have overseen record-breaking numbers of women in work - with almost 70% now in employment.

“However, there is clearly a need for the government to remove any barriers that are having an impact on young female Muslims entering the world of work.”

The MP published a report earlier this month that outlined four steps the government should take to encourage women entrepreneurs.

She stated “Women’s entrepreneurship has great potential for growth and this is no different in the Muslim community.

“Schools and colleges should promote and encourage young Muslim women to actively consider entrepreneurship as a worthwhile career choice.”