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Getting started with your business idea

There are lots of good reasons for wanting to work for yourself, like:

• having a great idea or passion that could be turned into profits
• wanting to work from home to fit in better with family commitments
• wanting to take more control of your life and be your own boss

If you get it right, being self-employed can be exciting, rewarding and challenging.

Information and support for new businesses

If you want to become self-employed, there is plenty of free information, advice and practical support available for you. You can get help with topics like:

• how to plan a business
• how to raise finance
• how to make sure you have enough to live on while you get your business off the ground

Support is available for both new and existing businesses, and can help you meet all the legal and financial requirements of being self-employed.

Business Link, Business Gateway and Flexible Support for Business

You can find information, advice and support to help you start, maintain and develop your business from the following places:

• England - Business Link
• Scotland - Business Gateway
• Wales - Flexible Support for Business

• Business Link Opens new window

• Business Gateway Opens new window

• Flexible Support for Business Opens new window

What other help is available

As well as the general help and advice available from Business Link, Business Gateway and Flexible Support for Business, additional support is also available for jobseekers through Jobcentre Plus.

Support may be available if both of the following apply:

• you are claiming Jobseeker's Allowance
• you have been unemployed for 13 weeks or more

The financial support available can include a self-employment credit of £50 a week paid for up to 16 weeks. This may be payable when you start trading or make the move into self-employment.

If you are interested, talk to your Jobcentre Plus personal adviser for more information.

• Contact Jobcentre Plus