This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-politics-16958852

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Women in boardrooms would aid recovery, says Cameron Women in boardrooms would aid recovery, says Cameron
(about 6 hours later)
 
Britain's economic recovery is being held back by a lack of women in the boardroom, Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to say.Britain's economic recovery is being held back by a lack of women in the boardroom, Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to say.
At a summit in Sweden with Nordic-Baltic leaders, Mr Cameron will say the current shortage of women is failing them and "failing our whole economy".At a summit in Sweden with Nordic-Baltic leaders, Mr Cameron will say the current shortage of women is failing them and "failing our whole economy".
Nordic and Baltic countries are "leading the way in Europe" on this issue, he will say.Nordic and Baltic countries are "leading the way in Europe" on this issue, he will say.
Women hold a quarter of boardroom posts in Sweden, compared with 12% in the UK.Women hold a quarter of boardroom posts in Sweden, compared with 12% in the UK.
"The drive for more women in business is not simply about equal opportunity, it's about effectiveness," Mr Cameron will say. "It's about quality, not just equality.""The drive for more women in business is not simply about equal opportunity, it's about effectiveness," Mr Cameron will say. "It's about quality, not just equality."
He will point to evidence of "a positive link between women in leadership and business performance".He will point to evidence of "a positive link between women in leadership and business performance".
"So if we fail to unlock the potential of women in the labour market, we're not only failing those individuals, we're failing our whole economy.""So if we fail to unlock the potential of women in the labour market, we're not only failing those individuals, we're failing our whole economy."
BBC political correspondent Robin Brant said Mr Cameron thought "Sweden's pioneering approach to trying to encourage more women into work, in particular to the top of business, could be part of the solution to Britain's economic woes".BBC political correspondent Robin Brant said Mr Cameron thought "Sweden's pioneering approach to trying to encourage more women into work, in particular to the top of business, could be part of the solution to Britain's economic woes".
Our correspondent added: "He won't say it but there's a nod to domestic politics too on this foreign outing. The opinion polls have suggested that David Cameron has struggled to win over Britain's women voters.Our correspondent added: "He won't say it but there's a nod to domestic politics too on this foreign outing. The opinion polls have suggested that David Cameron has struggled to win over Britain's women voters.
"Focusing on women's role in rescuing the economy won't do him any harm back home.""Focusing on women's role in rescuing the economy won't do him any harm back home."
The Northern Future Forum annual gathering - involving countries all outside the eurozone - was launched by the UK last year in London.The Northern Future Forum annual gathering - involving countries all outside the eurozone - was launched by the UK last year in London.
In the last year, 27% of board-level appointments at FTSE 100 companies have gone to female applicants, but one in 10 of Britain's biggest firms still have all-male boards.In the last year, 27% of board-level appointments at FTSE 100 companies have gone to female applicants, but one in 10 of Britain's biggest firms still have all-male boards.
At present, 15% of FTSE 100 directors are women.At present, 15% of FTSE 100 directors are women.
A government-commissioned report last year said quotas should be imposed unless top firms acted to increase the number of women on their boards to at least one in four by 2015.A government-commissioned report last year said quotas should be imposed unless top firms acted to increase the number of women on their boards to at least one in four by 2015.