Have you 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 reasons for wanting to work for yourself. Maybe you've got the best idea ever and can see an opportunity to earn more money. Maybe you want to work from home to fit in better with family commitments. Maybe you want to use your hobby, skills or experience to do something more interesting. Or maybe you simply want to be your own boss.

There is a lot of information, advice and practical support available, and most of it is free! - everything from developing your business plan and applying for finance, to making sure you have enough to live on whilst you get your business off the ground.

Three and a half million people in the UK, of all ages and from every walk of life, are self-employed, and probably all would agree that getting access to the right information and support before you launch your business is crucial to success.

The following organizations can help you to find out what help is available:

Jobcentre Plus
Jobcentre Plus can give you general advice about how your benefits will be affected if you start to do any work for yourself, and the in work support available. In addition to this, if you are eligible to join certain Jobcentre Plus programmes, including New Deal, you may be able to get extra help.

Business Link (in England)
Website: www.businesslink.gov.uk  
Telephone: 0845 600 9006

Business Gateway (in Scotland)
Website: www.bgateway.com  
Telephone: 0845 609 6611

Business Eye (in Wales)
Website: www.businesseye.org.uk  
Telephone: 0845 796 9798
Connects you to all the business support you need, from getting a business idea together through to successful trading.

HM Revenue and Customs
Website: www.hmrc.gov.uk  
Telephone: 0845 915 4515
When you become self-employed, you must declare this to HM Revenue and Customs within three months. There is a helpline for the newly 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.

The Prince's Trust
Website: www.princes-trust.org.uk  
Telephone: 0800 842 842
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 including ongoing advice from a volunteer business mentor for up to three years after start up.

PRIME (England and Scotland)
Website: www.primeinitiative.org.uk  
Telephone: 0800 783 1904
Website: (Wales) http://www.prime-cymru.co.uk  
Telephone: 0845 601 8693
A national organisation dedicated to helping people aged over 50 to set up in business. They can help with business support, advice on training, and can provide financial support as well.

Citizens' Advice Bureau
Website: www.adviceguide.org.uk
The CAB provide a useful fact sheet with information about self employment. This includes setting up in business, employing other people and financial issues. It also gives details of further sources of help and advice.