There are a range of business support options out there, from government guidance to professional advice. Knowing where to access it and the specific support you need can be tricky.
If you need further guidance and advice to find the right support you can contact the SEMLEP’s Growth Hub on 0300 01234 35 or growthhub@semlep.com.
Business and self-employed: This is a key source for all business. It gives you online information about a large range of business topics. From Business Tax to setting up.
Services Offered
The National Business Support Helpline has been created to provide business support and advice over the phone and online. It provides a quick response service to people with questions about anything to do with business.
Services offered:
HM Revenue and Customs have created a range of e-learning resources on a number of different topics, tailored specifically to business who aspire to grow. Follow the links below to the different courses available:
The DIT secure UK and global prosperity by promoting and financing international trade and investment, and championing free trade.
Services Offered
The Office of the Small Business Commissioner (SBC) is an independent public body appointed by the government under the Enterprise Act 2016 to tackle late payment and poor payment practice in the private sector of the UK.
The Office of the Small Business Commissioner operates a complaints scheme where we investigate complaints from small businesses (a company with 50 employees or less) who are experiencing payment issues with larger businesses (a company with more than 50 employees) and make non-binding recommendations for the resolution of payment disputes.
Where the Commissioner considers appropriate, we may publish a report about the circumstances of the complaint. This may include identification of the parties involved in the complaint.
There are specific rules in relation to the types of complaint the Commissioner can assist with. These include the complaint must relate to late or non-payment by a larger business to a smaller business, the dispute must not be contractual, and the dispute must not be subject to or have been previously determined via the court process. However, where complaints fall outside the legal scope of the Commissioners complaint scheme, we will still do as much as we can to resolve the dispute including signpost to relevant alternative existing support and dispute resolution services.
The Office of the Small Business Commissioner can also assist small businesses by checking contracts and providing advice on getting invoices right.
We are independent but appointed by government, impartial and free to use on a non-risk basis.
For more information, please see the below link to our website;
BARCLAYS EAGLE LABS – CRANFIELD
The national network of Eagle Labs supports individuals, businesses and corporates innovate and grow, across a broad range of different sectors and with varied capabilities.
Barclays has partnered with Cranfield University to support the future innovators of Bedfordshire. The space in the heart of the University campus is tailored to the aerospace and aviation technology community, drawing on the University’s aerospace heritage. Members benefit from business advice and mentoring from Barclays and Cranfield University’s network, access to world-class facilities on campus and a varied programme of events, seminars and lectures.
To find out more, please visit our website or contact us via email at Cranfieldeaglelab@barclays.com or on Twitter at @Eagle_Labs_Cran
NATWEST ENTREPRENEUR ACCELERATOR – MILTON KEYNES
The NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator gives businesses the power to start, scale and succeed, providing start-ups and growing businesses with coaching, networks and digital learning. There are two core programmes tailored to empower entrepreneurs at any stage of business creation or growth:
Both are fully-funded by the bank and no equity is taken from any business
Accelerator is a six-month programme based within our Milton Keynes hub and designed for entrepreneurs with growing businesses who are looking to scale up.
Pre-Accelerator is an intensive, eight-week online learning programme for early stage businesses or start-ups looking to validate ideas.
To find out more, including how to apply click here or visit: www.natwest.com/accelerator
