Business Advice and Information

Advice and information for new and small businesses.

Business Debtline
A free, confidential and independent source of advice for the self-employed and small business. The helpline is staffed Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm A 24 hour answering service operates outside these hours and when lines are busy. Contact: 0800 1976026 or visit the website Business Debtline. Opens in a new window

Enterprise Investment Scheme
This scheme helps small, unquoted trading businesses raise equity finance and encourages 'business angels' to invest in those businesses. Contact: 029 2032 7400 or visit Enterprise Investment Scheme Opens in a new window

European Union Funding - There are opportunities for UK organisations to seek European Union funding for innovative development and application projects in the life sciences, information society technologies, food safety and quality and sustainable development. Contact: 0870 600 6080 or visit the European Commission Grants website. Opens in a new window

Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR)
BERR is the central government department responsible for economic development and UK competitiveness.
Life's too short to be bogged down by rules and regulations.

And that's where the Better Regulation Executive comes in. We challenge new legislation and simplify, improve and even scrap existing regulation.

The bottom line? We make a positive difference to you and your business.

• View the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Opens in a new window

Companies House
The main work of Companies House is to incorporate and dissolve limited companies, examine and store company information delivered under the Companies Act and related legislation; and make this information available to the public.

• View contact details for Companies House Opens in a new window

UK Intellectual Property Office
The UK Intellectual Property Office is responsible for granting Intellectual Property rights in the UK. These rights include: patents, designs, trademarks and copyright.

• View the Intellectual Property Office website Opens in a new window
• Support for small businesses Opens in a new window
• BERR (Department for Business and Regulatory Reform) Opens in a new window