smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

Trying to hire staff

There’s no getting round the fact that great ideas are...
Have your say »

RSS

Guides & Tips

Tax and home-based businesses

As a business you can claim tax allowances. This means you can deduct a proportion of certain costs from your taxable profits and reduce your tax bill. SmallBusiness.co.uk explains.

Working from home

Deciding where to physically carry out your work is something which needs careful consideration. The nature of your business may dictate your location or premises choice.

Look! No wires…

We are becoming a nation of workers on the move. Or so media hype surrounding the so-called “wireless revolution” would have us believe. Yet, more recently, this hype has begun to take on some truth.

As businesses seek to cut costs, many are looking to work from home. According to research by business insurance provider Hiscox, 2.1 million businesses are run from home, with 1,400 new ventures launched from a domestic base in the UK every week. However, there are still costs to consider – notably, changes to their insurance and legal status.

Can you afford to ignore the flood risk?

Can you afford to ignore flood risk?

Small businesses are more at risk from flooding than fire - and the effects can be 30 times as costly as burglary - yet many businesses still do not have any measures in place to protect their property or staff from flooding, says , the Environment Agency.

Webchat: Boost efficiency, save money and help the environment

Boosting efficiency in the office is one of the simplest ways to cut waste and save money yet many UK companies are failing to do this. Webchats.tv is hosting a live discussion giving advice on how you can boost your efficiency as a business and save the planet at the same time.

Office & Homeworking News

Small firms 'good for your health'

Small business owners say running their own firm is better for their health, with the majority saying it is not more stressful than being employed.

Small firms 'good for your health'

Small business owners say running their own firm is better for their health, with the majority saying it is not more stressful than being employed.

Staff could be limited to 48-hour week

Small businesses may be forced to limit their employees to a 48-hour working week, after MEPs voted in favour of ending the UK's opt-out of the working time directive.

Businesses 'not protecting intellectual property'

Businesses are not sufficiently protecting their intellectual property (IP), with many taking no action to, according to new research.

Fit notes 'will not work'

The recent government move for staff to have fit notes will not work nor give increased flexibility for employers, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) says.

Small business training 'should be recognised'

Small firms should be recognised for the effort they put into on-the-job training for staff, the Federation for Small Businesses (FSB) says.

Start-up owners 'save on commuting time'

People starting their own business save up to three working weeks a year in commuting as they can choose where they work, meaning they have more time to invest in the company.

MacArthur calls for ‘energy marshals’ for SMEs

Yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur is urging businesses to appoint energy marshals in a bid to cut costs and save the environment.

Flexible working 'could get lost in recession'

Flexitime and home working could be lost in the recession despite there being mutual gains for staff and employers, according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

Flexible working plans reviewed

The government says plans to allow parents more flexible working rights are being reviewed in light of the current economic situation.

'Buzz words' can hinder productivity

The majority of Britons believe buzz words in the workplace can restrict productivity, yet over half still use phrases like ‘in the loop’ and ‘think outside the box’.

Events Calendar

Business Startup

28th November, Olympia, London

Protecting Your Business

6th September, Best Western Country Hotel, Caerphilly

Store

FT Guide to Personal Tax

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Tax Guide, the FT Guide to Personal Tax is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc and Jonquil Lowe, this unique guide gives step-by-step advice to completing your tax return as well as 100 tax-saving tips.

FT Guide to Business Start Up

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Small Business Guide, the FT Guide to Business Start Up is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc, this unique guide has sold over two million copies. It offers practical advice about starting and running your own business.

Growth Company Investor

Growth Company Investor is widely recognised as the leading magazine for investors interested in AIM and smallcap companies. Published 10 times per year, and brought to you by an award-winning analyst team, it offers subscribers unrivalled insight into high-potential smaller companies. Subscribe today with a 50% discount in your first year.

What Investment

What Investment is the leading and longest-established investment magazine in the UK.

Regular Small Business newsletters
Access to all our experts in the Q & A forum
Post comments on articles

Save up to 15% on your postage costs!

Pitney Bowes offer a FREE 30 day trial of their small business franking machines. They are offering £50 free postage and a Free Royal Mail Postage Guide (RRP £20) on successful sign-up. Apply today for this no-obligation offer!

Free and Unlimited Business Banking

When it comes to business banking, Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank provides the UK's best business banking deal. Switch to the only bank to offer FREE and UNLIMITED free business banking and a market leading interest rate of 2.63% AER* (variable) credit interest. We’ve a proven track record – Business Moneyfacts has recently voted us ‘Best Business Current Account Provider’ for an unprecedented sixth year running. Fast track your Free Business Current Account application today!

Working from home Resource Centre

Advice and support for homeworkers

The National Group on Homeworking offer advice and support for homeworkers, and those employing homeworkers in the United Kingdom.

Working from home

This site is for anyone wanting to work at home and anyone already working at home. You will find lots to get you started, help you find work and avoid scams.

Guide to paying taxes for homeworkers

This site explains the legals side of paying tax and national insurance if you are working from home.

Free online forum on homeworking

This online forum, dedicated to working from home, enables you to share your experiences with others. It also features job postings and relevant links.

Flexible working and work-life balance

It's important to balance your work and home life. The right to ask for flexible working aims to help employers and workers agree on work patterns that suit everyone. Find out what flexible working is and how to apply for it.

A guide to tax and NICs

Increasing numbers of employees do some or all of their work at home. Many of these employees are teleworkers and are able to log onto the employer's computer from a terminal at home. If certain conditions are met there is no tax charge or any liability for NICs in any of these cases. Find out more from the HMRC.

Starting and expanding your home business

Upon joining, The HBA allows you access to their business idea factsheets, and helps you to manage and expand your business by providing free advice and publicity.

Office health and safety

This government website offers guidance to any issues relating to health and safety while working

More Working from home Resources

Other Office & Homeworking Resources

Polls

Video

Fivium - The challenges of growth

Matthew Fletcher of IT systems company Fivium talks about the challenges of being part of a fast-growing business.

"The business is out there"

Entrepreneur Neil O'Connell has built his business , Sulis Interiors, up from nothing.

"There's no such thing as failure, only feedback"

The challenges David Ferry faced when starting and growing his business, Ferry Financial.

Flexible working: the leaders' view

At the 2008 Work Wise UK Summit, BT Business asked a number of leaders for their views on flexible working.

Blogs

Trying to hire staff

Marc Barber 11/12/2008

There’s no getting round the fact that great ideas are always made or ruined by other people. Have your say »

A corner turned?

Penny Proffit 23/10/2008

Much like the faces of the soldiers on the landing boats heading for Omaha beach in the movie Saving Private Ryan, there is a grim acceptance among owner-managers that the foreseeable future is going to get bloody. Have your say »

Basic building block of any Internet marketing campaign

Guest Blogger 07/07/2008

For almost all sectors of commerce today, the Internet, or more specifically the World Wide Web, is now a key tool for business. In the field of marketing in particular it has become crucial. (1 comments) Have your say »

Q&A

Register or login to ask a question to our panel of experts...

Business development expert

Ashley de Safrin, Business Link in London

Start-up tips

Philip Wilkinson, Business Link

Advice for employers

Peter Done, Peninsula

16 posts

Latest questions answered

Q: Tax and the sale of your home Q: Office space Q: High-flood-risk business premesis Q: Office space required per person Q: Need to sell my business Q: What to do when moving business premises Q: How to deal with the competition

Prize Draw

Free prize draw!

Smallbusiness.co.uk has teamed up with Avery® Quick&Clean™ Business Cards to offer five lucky readers the chance to win a copy of BBC Dragons' Den James Caan's new book The Real Deal and a pack of Avery® premium heavyweight business cards. To enter the prize draw, simply answer our question here