Business Support
The following organisations provide business support.
Acas
Acas provides advice on all employment matters, helps to prevent or resolve disputes between employers and their workforces and assistance in settling compaints about employees' rights without the need for an Employment Tribunal.
Business Link
Business Link provides an easy to use business support, advice and information service. They will provide you with support on a range of issues, from starting up a business to advice on finance on marketing.
Chambers of Commerce
Accredited Chambers are local, independent, non-profit making and non party-political organisations, funded by membership subscriptions. Accreditation standards developed by the network are managed and monitored at national level to ensure we deliver only the very best standards of service and performance. Currently over 100,000 businesses benefit from membership of Chambers in the Accredited Network, from growth-oriented start-ups to local and regional subsidiaries of multinational companies, in all commercial and industrial sectors, and from all over the UK.
Disability Information
In light of recent changes to the Disability Discrimination Act, considering the needs of disabled customers and employees has become an essential part of setting up and running a business.
Environmental Information
Small businesses often find environmental legislation confusing and complicated, however don't panic because help is at hand. There are a number of initiatives that will help guide you through the minefield of environmental legislation by offering free advice and support.
Euro Info Centres
Euro Info Centres (EICs) provide local access to a range of specialist information and advisory services to help companies develop their business in Europe. For further information, contact your nearest Euro Info Centre.
Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)
The Federation of Small Businesses is the largest direct member business organisation in the UK, with over 185,000 members representing 1.25 million people. It exists to promote and protect the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms.
Health and Safety Executive
Britain's Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are responsible for the regulation of almost all the risks to health and safety arising from work activity in Britain.
HM Revenue and Customs
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is the new department responsible for the business of the former Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise. As a single department, HMRC will have the added benefit of producing greater efficiencies, reducing the tax gap and providing a greater customer focus. HMRC is responsible for collecting the bulk of tax revenue as well as paying tax credits and child benefit.
Local Councils
Your local council is responsible for the enforcement of a number of regulatory requirements, planning applications, food safety and standards, noise control, pollution control and the collection of business rates. Your council is responsible for allocating various types of licence and enforcing their use. These include licences for food premises, pet shops, sex shops, taxis & private hire and licences for public entertainment. The councils also have a responsibility to enforce Health and Safety at Work regulations. The areas cover most commercial workplaces (not industrial workplaces though)such as offices, shops, hotels, warehouses and places of entertainment.
Useful Business Information Links
Here you'll find access to a vast selection of information sites relevant to business that may be of help to you. Please note that listing should not be taken as endorsement of any kind. We cannot guarantee that these links will work all of the time and we have no control over the availability of the linked pages.
