Useful contacts
Employment relations information can be found on the DTI website
Information about Trademarks, Patents & Logos can be found on the UK Patent Office website
Below are many other Telephone numbers, helplines and Web addresses for various Government Bodies and Associations:
BUSINESS SUPPORT
ACAS (Advisory Conciliation & Arbitration Service)
Practical guidance on various aspects of being an employer. Workshops for employers without a personnel specialist
08457 47 47 47
www.acas.org.uk
Federation of Small Businesses
Covers a number of areas including tax and insurance, and offers 24 hour legal advice to members with small businesses.
01253 336000
www.fsb.org.uk
COMPANIES
Companies House
If you form a new company, you must agree and register its name with the Registrar of Companies at Companies House
0870 333 3636
www.companieshouse.gov.uk
CONSUMER PROTECTION AND COMPETITION
Offices of Fair Trading
Deals with consumer protection, consumer credit and competition legislation.
08457 224499 ( Public Liaison Unit - General Enquiries )
www.oft.gov.uk
DATA PROTECTION
Home Office
Information and guidance on the Data Protection Act 1998.
0207 035 4848
www.homeoffice.gov.uk
Full text of the Data Protection Act 1998 is available from Her Majesty's Stationery Office:
www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts1998/19980029.htm
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Environment Agency
Environmental information and advice for business.
08708 506 506 ( General Enquiries )
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
FRANCHISES
British Franchise Association (BFA)
General advice on all aspects of running a franchise.
01491 578 050
www.british-franchise.org
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Subcontractors helpline
Information for subcontractors on the Construction Industry Scheme
0845 300 0581 ( 8.30am - 5pm Mon - Fri )
Contractors helpline
Information for contractors on the Construction Industry Scheme
0845 733 5588 ( 8am - 10pm 7 days a week )
EMPLOYING PEOPLE
Employers' Helpline
Guidance for existing employers on all aspects of National Insurance, including Statutory Sick Pay, Maternity Pay, Stakeholder Pensions, general PAYE information and basic registration.
08457 143 143
New Employers' Helpline
Guidance on all aspects of National Insurance including income tax and payroll for new employers.
0845 607 0143
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Enterprise Investment Scheme
The EIS provides tax incentives to encourage investment in small business. Find out if your business qualifies.
029 2032 7400
NATIONAL INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS
National Insurance Contributions Office
For general advice and information on National Insurance payments.
0845 302 1479
International Services Helpline
Provides a wide range of information including liability, health care, and aspects of working abroad.
0845 915 4811
NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE
Minimum Wage Helpline
Advice for employees and employers. Employees can also use the helpline to register complaints about their pay.
0845 6000 678
PENSIONS
Pension Schemes Office
Advice on tax aspects or personal and stakeholder pensions.
0115 974 1777 ( Personal Pension )
0115 974 1600 ( Occupational Schemes )
www.hmrc.gov.uk/pensionschemes
SELF ASSESSMENT
Self Assessment Helpline
Advice and information on a wide range of Self Assessment enquiries for tax payers, agents and employers.
0845 9000 444
Self Assessment Orderline
For booklets, leaflets and forms relating to Self Assessment
0845 9000 404
www.hmrc.gov.uk/sa
SELF EMPLOYMENT
Self Employment Services Call Centre
For information on other self employed National Insurance issues.
0845 915 4655
Helpline for the Newly Self-Employed
To register and for general information in your first year of self-employment, including advice on tax and National Insurance.
0845 915 4515
SERVICE COMPANIES
IR35 Helpline
Advice about whether the special IR35 rules apply to you, and what you need to do.
0845 303 3535
www.hmrc.gov.uk/IR35
TAX CREDITS
Tax Credit helpline (including Working Tax Credits and Child Tax Credit)
0845 300 3900
VAT
Customs & Excise
National Helpline
0845 010 9000
www.hmrc.gov.uk
WORKING WITH OTHER BUSINESSES
Corporate Venturing Scheme
Call the CVS to find out if your business could benefit from working with other businesses and qualify for the related tax reliefs.
02920 327400
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Health & Safety Executive
Advice on ensuring that work activities do not endanger employees or employers.
0845 345 0055
www.hse.gov.uk
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Patent Office
Grants patents and registers designs, trade marks and copyrights in the UK .
08459 500 505
www.patent.gov.uk
www.intellectual-property.gov.uk
LICENCES TO TRADE
Direct Access Government
A one-stop shop for regulatory information, leaflets and forms.
www.direct.gov.uk
MANAGEMENT SUPPORT
British Chambers of Commerce (BCC)
Management support for businesses throughout the UK .
020 7654 5800
www.britishchambers.org.uk
TRADING OVERSEAS
Trade Partners UK
Advice on developing your business overseas, plus access to the full range of support available. Also provides services to exporters of goods and investors in overseas markets.
020 7215 5444 or 020 7215 5445
www.tradepartners.com
UNEMPLOYMENT
New Deal
Practical advice and support for unemployed people who want to run their own business.
0845 606 2626
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/new_deal/index.html
VENTURE CAPITAL
British Venture Capital Association
Information and advice on Venture Capital Trusts, designed to encourage investment in small companies.
020 7025 2950
www.bvca.co.uk
WORKERS' CO-OPERATIVES
Industrial Common Ownership Finance Ltd
Advice on setting up workers' co-operatives, plus contacts with local agencies, legal advice and a comprehensive training programme.
0161 246 2959
www.icof.co.uk/icom