Skip to main content
Guiding you to a better future

Search

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.

Have you paid enough NI to get the full state pension?

30 April 2024

The government has launched a new online service to make it easier for customers to check for and fill any gaps in their National Insurance (NI) record to help increase their state pension.

The Check your State Pension forecast allows British tax payers to view gaps in their NI record and pay voluntary contributions to fill those gaps, if it will benefit them. The new digital service will show customers by how much their state pension could increase and details of the voluntary NI contributions they would need to pay to achieve this.

It gives anyone with NI gaps in some of their tax years the opportunity to increase their state pension. They can pay securely through the service and will receive confirmation that their payment has been received and that their NI record will be updated.

How to pay voluntary NI contributions

Customers can access the Check your State Pension forecast via GOV.UK or via the HMRC app. Those who are eligible have until 5 April 2025 to pay voluntary contributions to make up gaps in their NI record between 6 April 2006 and 5 April 2018. From 6 April 2025, people will only be able to pay voluntary contributions for the previous six tax years, in line with normal time limits.

"I would encourage everyone to check their state pension forecast and to take a look at how they could improve their state pension award with only a few simple clicks." Paul Maynard, minister for pensions.

Paying voluntary contributions will not always increase their state pension but everyone can use the new service to check whether they could be better off in retirement before making any voluntary NI payments. Customers will need to log in to the new digital service using their Personal Tax Account log in details.

Those without an online HMRC account can register on GOV.UK.

Written by Rachel Miller.

Stay up-to-date with business advice and news

Sign up to this lively and colourful newsletter for new and more established small businesses.