Self-employment

Working for yourself is another work option you can consider. Find out about the free help and support available to you.

Getting started with your business idea

There are lots of good reasons for wanting to work for yourself. Maybe you’ve got a great idea or passion that could be turned into profits. Maybe you want to work from home to fit in better with family commitments. Or maybe you simply want to take more control of your life and be your own boss. If you get it right, being self-employed can be exciting, rewarding and challenging. To make sure you get it right, you should think about talking to the business experts.

Information and support for new businesses

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.

There are a range of sources of advice that provide practical information and support for new and existing businesses. They will help you meet all the legal and financial requirements of being self-employed.

Business Link, Business Gateway and Flexible Support for Business

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

Business Link
Business Gateway
Flexible Support for Business

What other help is available

From 22 February 2010, Jobcentre Plus has extended the package of support to help you become self-employed or start up your own business.

The support may be available if both of the following apply:

• you are claiming Jobseeker's Allowance
• you have been unemployed for 13 weeks or more

In addition to advice and coaching, support can include a self-employment credit of £50 a week for up to 16 weeks. This may be payable when you make the move into self-employment, giving you financial support during the early weeks of trading.

If you are interested, talk to your Jobcentre Plus personal adviser for more information.