Ever thought of working for yourself?

Do you have an idea for a business but don’t know how to get started?

There are lots of good reasons for wanting to work for yourself. Maybe you’ve got a great idea and can see an opportunity to earn more money. Maybe you want to work from home to fit in better with family commitments. Or, maybe you simply want to be your own boss.

Already over 3 million people in the UK, of all ages and from every walk of life, are self-employed. Everyone considering self-employment, or who is already self-employed, must have access to the right information and support.

There is a lot of information, advice and practical support available, and most of it is free. From planning a business and raising finance to making sure you have enough to live on while you get your business off the ground, this section gives you some ideas of where to turn.

Useful sources of information and support

There are a range of organisations that provide information and support to help you get your business started and meet all legal and financial requirements of being self-employed. We think these organisations will help you, but they are separate from Jobcentre Plus so we are not responsible for the advice they give you.

Business Link, Business Gateway and Business Eye
Business Link in England, Business Gateway in Scotland, and Business Eye in Wales all provide the information, advice and support you need to start, maintain and develop your business.

Business Link
Website: www.businesslink.gov.uk
Phone: 0845 600 9006

Business Gateway
Website: www.bgateway.com
Phone: 0845 609 6611

Business Eye
Website: www.businesseye.org.uk
Phone: 0845 796 9798

Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice provides a range of useful information about self-employment. This includes guidance on setting up in business, employing other people and financial issues. They provide a handy fact sheet covering these issues, which also gives details of other sources of help and advice. You can download the fact sheet from the Citizens Advice Bureau website.

HM Revenue & Customs
HM Revenue & Customs provides a helpline for people who have become self-employed, where you can register and get help with tax, National Insurance and VAT. Other services include a nationwide network of business support teams and advice about tax credits.

You should contact HM Revenue & Customs before going into business so you can understand your obligations.

Website: www.hmrc.gov.uk
Phone: 0845 915 4515

The Prince’s Trust
If you are aged 18 to 30 and unemployed, The Prince’s Trust could help you start a business by offering financial support backed with a range of business support services. This includes ongoing advice from a volunteer business mentor for up to three years after you start up.
Website: www.princes-trust.org.uk
Phone: 0800 842 842

PRIME
PRIME is a national organisation dedicated to helping people aged 50 and over to set up in business. They can help with business support, advice on training, and can provide financial support as well.
England and Scotland
Website: www.primeinitiative.org.uk 
Phone: 0800 783 1904

Wales
Website: www.prime-cymru.co.uk 
Phone: 0845 601 8693

For more information about our Programmes and Services contact Jobcentre Plus.