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For a successful business, you need a viable business idea, the skills to make it work and the funding. Discover whether your idea has what it takes.

Forming your business correctly is essential to ensure you are protected and you comply with the rules. Learn how to set up your business.

Advice on protecting your wellbeing, self-confidence and mental health from the pressures of starting and running a business.

Learn why business planning is an essential exercise if your business is to start and grow successfully, attract funding or target new markets.

It is likely you will need funding to start your business unless you have your own money. Discover some of the main sources of start up funding.

Businesses and individuals must account for and pay various taxes. Understand your tax obligations and how to file, account and pay any taxes you owe.

Businesses are required to comply with a wide range of business laws. We introduce the main rules and regulations you must comply with.

Marketing matters. It drives sales and helps promote your brand and products. Discover how to market your business and reach your target customers.

Some businesses need a high street location whilst others can be run from home. Understand the key factors from cost to location, size to security.

Your employees can your biggest asset. They can also be your biggest challenge. We explain how to recruitment and manage staff successfully.

It is likely your business could not function without some form of IT. Learn how to specify, buy, maintain and secure your business IT.

Few businesses manage the leap from start up to high-growth business. Learn what it takes to scale up and take your business to the next level.

Business rates: "a levy that hurts small firms"

31 August 2021

The Federation of Small Businesses is calling on the government to support small businesses by significantly reforming business rates - which it has described as "regressive and outdated".

Small firms should not be penalised with a higher business rates bill for greening their premises or improving staff wellbeing with new amenities, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has told ministers.

In a letter to the government ahead of the autumn review of the business rates system, FSB national chair Mike Cherry said: "This is a levy that hurts small firms trying to do the right thing: if you put solar panels on the roof to aid your transition to net zero, or install ventilation to support the wellbeing of your staff, the Valuation Office Agency will advise your local authority that you should be paying more in business rates.

"As we look to aid the small business community's transition to net zero, and employee safety and wellbeing as we come out from the pandemic, this simply cannot be the right approach to taxation."

The FSB is urging policymakers to:

  • Stop penalising investments aimed at improving sustainability, such as solar panels, insulation, ventilation, recycling facilities and bike sheds - improvements that typically increase property values and raise rates bills;
  • Support high street recovery by increasing the threshold for 100% small business rates relief to £25,000;
  • Exempt all childcare providers from business rates to bring support across England in line with that provided in Wales and Scotland;
  • Remove a quirk in the system that means that firms operating across two premises are charged rates even if its total valuation should see it qualify for relief.

Mike Cherry said: "The government is absolutely right to overhaul a business rates system which often lets online retailers operating from remote warehouses off the hook whilst punishing small businesses that serve as community hubs" and he said that "we should be aiming to take more small firms out of the system altogether".

Cherry added: "Renewed efforts to ensure that rates bills are based on fair valuations are welcome and much needed - the more we can move to rolling up-to-date valuations, the more we can ensure this is a fair system fit for the digital age."

Written by Rachel Miller.

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