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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.

Chancellor launches Recovery Loan Scheme

6 April 2021

The new government-backed loan scheme promises to provide additional finance to businesses that need it throughout 2021.

As the UK economy starts to open up, businesses can now access loans from £25,000 up to a maximum of £10 million under the £75 billion Recovery Loan Scheme. The government will provide an 80% guarantee for all loans. Interest rates have been capped at 14.99% but "are expected to be much lower than that in the vast majority of cases".

The launch comes just days after the Bounce Back Loan scheme was closed. Chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak said: "As we safely reopen parts of our economy, our new Recovery Loan Scheme will ensure that businesses continue to have access to the finance they need as we move out of this crisis."

The scheme, which runs until 31 December 2021, will be administered by the British Business Bank, with loans available through a network of accredited commercial lenders.

Commenting on the launch, CBI chief economist Rain Newton-Smith said: "The coronavirus loan schemes have provided a critical lifeline to businesses, and so its successor - the new Recovery Loan scheme - comes as a huge relief to firms."

Suren Thiru, head of economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: "The new scheme can play a potentially pivotal role in supporting the recovery by getting credit flowing to the firms who most need it."

However, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE) has warned that self-employed workers are facing a "rising tide" of debt. Research by IPSE in conjunction with Starling Bank suggests that one in ten freelancers took out a Bounce Back Loan. And this is not the only type of debt that freelancers took on during the pandemic. IPSE data shows that 23% of freelancers took on credit card debt and 14% had to go into their overdrafts.

It means that many self-employed workers are now facing a growing debt problem. "Government must pay close attention to a rising tide of debt in the self-employed sector," said Andy Chamberlain, IPSE director of policy.

"As the government prepares its Recovery Loan Scheme, we urge it to closely monitor the level of debt in the sector - and not only ensure leniency from lenders, but also be ready to step in to reduce the strain on freelancers in the coming months and years."

Written by Rachel Miller.

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