Small & medium business

Where to go for advice

It seems that most aspects of running your own business are subject to some form of legislation today – don’t worry, not all of it is a bind, some are there to protect your own interests too. Below we have listed some of the key government departments and their functions

Name
Function
Border and Immigration Agency

 

Checking candidate’s right to work in the UK

Business Link

 

The government's support service for business of all sizes - promoting innovation, growth and competition

Companies House

 

Setting up and managing a limited company

Criminal Records Bureau

 

Identify candidates who are not suitable to work with children

Customs and Excise (now part of HMRC)

 

VAT, Excise, Duties

Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

 

Trade and Industry

Department for Work and Pensions

 

Employee benefits

Equality Human Rights

 

Ensuring your company complies with equality legislation

Financial Services Authority

 

Regulates the financial services industry in the UK

Food Standards Agency

 

The independent food safety watchdog

Gambling Commission

 

Regulates gambling in the public interest

Health and Safety Executive

 

Ensure you comply with health and safety at work guidelines

Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs

 

Tax - Corporate and Personal, VAT, National Insurance

Information Commissioner

 

Regulates how companies should process customer data

Intellectual Property Office

 

Grants rights such as patents, designs, trade marks and copyright

Jobcentre Plus

 

To advertise vacancies through the Jobcentre network

Office for Standards in Education

 

Inspects local education authorities, teacher training institutions and youth work and for the regulation of early years childcare, including childminders

Office of Communications

 

Regulates television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services

Office of Fair Trading

 

Ensures fair trade for your customers

Regional Development Agencies

 

Help promote regional investment - business development, job creation, education, infrastructure

UK Trade and Investment

 

Support and advice for UK companies trading overseas

Vehicle and Operator Services Agency

 

Testing schemes, access to HGV/PCV test booking, MOT test standards

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