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Government Business Support Directory 2022

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Government Business Support Directory 2022

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Find government-backed support and finance for business

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2018 © British Council, the photographers & the authors. The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland).

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DCMS - What does the government do to support the arts?

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DCMS - What does the government do to support the arts?

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Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport

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Government Support for Small Businesses Guide 2022

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Government Support for Small Businesses Guide 2022

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Starting or growing a business is incredibly challenging. Fortunately, the government has a whole host of advice, support and funding for SMEs. Understanding and accessing it, however, is easier said than done.
In this article, we've rounded up the most important government help out there into one handy guide. Here, you'll learn exactly what support is available to SMEs - at a national and local level - and find exactly how and where to access it.

This post was updated in April 2021.

1. GOV.UK website

GOV.UK is a single point of access to all government services and information. It provides information and guidance on starting and running a business, including statutory rights and obligations, and the ability to search for support using the business finance and support finder.

The business finance and support finder is an interactive tool which is searchable by sector, business size, location, activity and business stage. It allows businesses to search for government-backed support and finance, including:

Grants, finance and loans

Business support e.g. mentoring or consultancy

Funding for small and medium-sized businesses and startups

The website also has information on:

Employing people

Money and tax

Business and self-employment

2. National Business Support Helpline

The Business Support Helpline is a key element of the government's business support provision.

The service provides advice, support, funding and business improvement guidance to pre-starts, startups and existing businesses. The helpline shares essential national information and signposting to local support.

Businesses can call 0800 998 1098 to speak to a business support advisor (9.00am - 6.00pm Monday to Friday) or email enquiries@businesssupporthelpline.org. Businesses can also ask questions through their LiveChat or connect on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

3. Local help for business

There are 38 growth hubs across the country, one for every Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Businesses can connect with their local growth hub to access funding, advice and support.

LEPs are business-led partnerships between local authorities and local private sector businesses. They aim to drive economic growth and job creation, as well as upskill the workforce and improve infrastructure.

4. Coronavirus support

A range of financial support became available during the coronavirus outbreak, some of which is still accessible.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) has been set up for businesses that have staff, including apprentices, that would otherwise have to be laid off due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The CJRS will pay up to 80% of an employee's salary, up to a maximum of £2,500 a month. The CJRS has now been extended until 30 September 2021. However, from July 2021, the level of grant will be reduced and employers will be asked to contribute towards the cost of furloughed employees' wages.

Restart Grants

The Restart Grant scheme supports businesses in the non-essential retail, hospitality, leisure, personal care and accommodation sectors with a one-off grant, to reopen safely as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

Eligible businesses in the non-essential retail sector may be entitled to a one-off cash grant of up to £6,000 from their local council. Eligible businesses in the hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym sectors may be entitled to a one-off cash grant of up to £18,000 from their local council.

Recovery Loan Scheme

The Recovery Loan Scheme has been set up to help businesses of any size access loans and financial support. Up to £10 million is available per business.

The government guarantees 80% of the finance to the lender. As the borrower, you are always 100% liable for the debt. The scheme is open until 31 December 2021.

Business rates holiday and discounts

The government is offering business rates holiday and discounts for tax year 2021-22 for all retail, leisure and hospitality businesses, in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.

5. Financial support

Start Up Loans Company

The Start Up Loans Company is a subsidiary of the British Business Bank and funds loans of up to £25,000.

If you have a great business idea or you've been trading for less than 24 months, you could be eligible. Successful applicants get free mentoring for 12 months. The loans can be repaid over one to five years. You must be aged 18-plus, based in the UK and be a UK resident.

The scheme has supported over 75,000 businesses with more than £623 million worth of loans.

Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme

The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) is designed to help businesses raise up to £150,000 worth of investment.

If you've been trading for less than two years and have less than £200,000 of assets, you can use SEIS to incentivise potential investors to fund your growth. The scheme is designed to help companies raise money by offering tax reliefs to individual investors who buy new shares in your company.

There are various rules you must follow so your investors can claim and keep SEIS tax reliefs relating to their shares. Before you apply, check the guidance carefully.

Enterprise Investment Scheme

The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) enables businesses to raise up to £5 million each year, and a maximum of £12 million in your company's lifetime.

Like SEIS, this is a venture capital scheme designed to help companies raise money by offering tax reliefs to individual investors who buy new shares in your company. EIS, however, is geared towards more established businesses.

Businesses must not have gross assets worth more than £15 million before any shares are issued and not more than £16 million immediately afterwards. Companies must have less than 250 full-time equivalent employees.

Again, check the guidance carefully. There are various rules you must follow so your investors can claim and keep EIS tax reliefs relating to their shares.

Are you ready to pitch to investors? The Pitch is back for 2021 with a pledge to help 3,000 startups get investment ready. The competition is free to enter and has helped UK startups raise tens of millions of pounds since launching in 2008.

Apply now

New Enterprise Allowance

If you're over 18 and either you or your partner receive benefits (e.g. Universal Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance), you may qualify for New Enterprise Allowance. This can help you to start your own business or develop your business if you're already self-employed.

As part of this scheme, you'll get a mentor who will give you advice and support to help you get set up and start trading. Once you've made a business plan with your mentor, you could be eligible for weekly grants of up to £1,274 over 26 weeks and can apply for a loan to help with startup costs.

You can access information and advice on this from your Jobcentre Plus work coach.

Kickstart Scheme

The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to create new jobs for 16 to 24 year-olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment. Employers of all sizes can apply for funding which covers:

100% of the National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week for a total of six months

Associated employer National Insurance contributions

Any relevant workplace pension contributions (automatic enrolment)

Enterprise Zones

Enterprise Zones are designated areas across England that provide tax breaks and government support to new and expanding businesses.

Businesses located within an Enterprise Zone can access benefits such as 100% business rate discounts up to £275,000 over a five-year period or 100% enhanced capital allowances (tax relief) to help firms make large investments.

Businesses can also access simplified local authority planning - Local Development Orders grant automatic planning permission for certain development (such as new industrial buildings or changing how existing buildings are used) within specified areas.

SME Brexit Support Fund

The SME Brexit Support Fund offers grants of up to £2,000 to help with training or professional advice, if your business has up to 500 employees and no more than £100 million annual turnover.

Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme

The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme provides up to £3,500 for businesses that are struggling with slow broadband speeds in rural areas.

Gigabit vouchers can be used by small businesses to go towards the cost of installing gigabit-capable broadband connections. To be eligible, businesses must have up to 249 employees and annual turnover no greater than £36 million.

Apprenticeships

Businesses of all sizes in many different sectors can benefit from hiring an apprentice. If your annual pay bill is less than £3 million per year, the government will pay up to 95% of the training costs and assessment costs.

6. Tax reliefs

The government offers support to small businesses through a number of schemes to reduce tax liabilities, including:

If you need to buy assets that can be classed as plant and machinery (excluding cars), you can claim tax relief on the full value of these items in the first year of purchase. The criteria is stringent, so it's worth checking if you qualify and also remember you may need to pay tax if you sell the item after claiming it.

If you buy an asset that qualifies for first year allowances, you can deduct the full cost from your profits before tax and it doesn't count towards your annual investment allowance. If you use energy-saving equipment - such as cars that have low CO2 emissions - you can claim "enhanced capital allowances".

If your business contributes to the creative industry, you may be eligible for one of eight corporation tax reliefs that allow companies to claim a larger deduction or, in some circumstances, claim a payable tax credit when calculating your taxable profits. Find out if your business qualifies.

You could reduce your National Insurance bill by up to £4,000 by claiming this. You can claim it each month when you do your payroll, which means that no National Insurance contributions are payable until your £4,000 allowance has been used up or the tax year ends (whichever comes sooner). You can't claim if you only have one employee.

If you're selling all or part of your business, this scheme allows you to pay only 10% Capital Gains Tax on any qualifying assets.

If your company is liable to pay corporation tax and makes a profit from patented inventions, you may be able to apply for corporation tax on profits earned. Only certain patents are eligible, so it's worth checking if you qualify.

Research and Development (R&D) is a tax relief that can either reduce a company's tax bill or provide a cash sum. It's based on how much a company spends on R&D and specifically looks at projects that are trying to advance science or technology.

You can get business rates relief if your property's rateable value is less than £15,000 or your business only uses one property (though you may still be eligible if you use more). You'll need to contact your local council to apply for small business rate relief.

7. National business support programmes

Arts Council England

The Arts Council Grant Scheme is aimed at organisations undertaking creative projects as part of their primary activity. It's open to individuals as well as organisations, libraries and galleries.

The funding finder is regularly updated with new funds and programmes.

Department for International Trade

The Department for International Trade's export hub provides advice and training on selling overseas, from finding target markets to contacting suppliers. Visit the export hub.

Design Council Spark

The Design Council is an independent charity that works in the public interest. The Design Council Spark is a support and funding programme that helps startups develop their product ideas.

Innovate UK

Innovate UK is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government. It provides funding to support R&D and innovation activity to organisations across the UK, mainly through web-based competitions.

Businesses can apply for funding to test the feasibility of an idea, research and develop it and demonstrate it in a prototype. All of the current and forthcoming funding competitions run by Innovate UK are published here.

Innovate UK also offers a Knowledge Transfer Network to provide business owners with markets and finance to improve their companies.

Intellectual Property Office (IPO)

The Intellectual Property Office provides information on things like trademarks, patenting and copyright. It also trains independent business advisers as IP auditors so they can advise SMEs on IP issues. The IPO has a range of online training tools.

Mentors ME

An online resource for small and medium-sized businesses that offers access to around 15,000 trained volunteer business mentors. Find out more and sign up online.
We endeavour to keep this guide up to date. Please email chris@thepitch.uk if you spot something that needs updating.
Have you got an amazing product or game-changing business idea? Apply to the Pitch 2021 to pitch to seed investors and access expert support and mentoring.

Find out more

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A guide to government support for small businesses - The Pitch

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Starting or growing a business is incredibly challenging. Fortunately, the government has a whole host of advice, support and funding for SMEs. Understanding and accessing it, however, is easier said than done. In this article, we've rounded up the most important government help out there into one handy guide.

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Cultural policy is the government actions, laws and programs that regulate, protect, encourage and financially (or otherwise) support activities related to the arts and creative sectors, such as painting, sculpture, music, dance, literature, and filmmaking, among others and culture, which may involve activities related to language, heritage and diversity.

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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) based in Paris.
Its declared purpose is to contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms in order to increase universal respect for justice, the rule of law, and human rights along with fundamental freedom proclaimed in the United Nations Charter.[1]

UNESCO pursues its objectives through five major programs: education, natural sciences, social/human sciences, culture and communication/information.

Projects sponsored by UNESCO include literacy, technical, and teacher-training programs, international science programs, the promotion of independent media and freedom of the press, regional and cultural history projects, the promotion of cultural diversity, translations of world literature, .

UNESCO has 195 member states[3] and ten associate members.[4][5]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNESCO

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Kickstarter is the world's largest funding platform for creative projects. A home for film, music, art, theater, games, comics, design, photography, and more.

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Indiegogo: Crowdfund Innovations & Buy Unique Products

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Indiegogo is the world's largest global funding platform. Founded on the principles of opportunity, transparency, and action, anyone with an idea can create a campaign and fund their passion.

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Funding opportunities for new UK writers, directors and producers.

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Government departments, funding bodies and  agencies for the arts.

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Government departments, funding bodies and  agencies for the arts.

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The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has announced its plans to invest in the UK's creative industries with a new wave of funding but has focused on developing technologies such as virtual and augmented reality rather than creative education.

The Government has vowed to invest £150 million in the creative industries as it launches a new sector deal with over a fifth of this money going towards "immersive" technology such as virtual reality.

The creative industries sector deal is part of the Government's annual industrial strategy, and has been launched by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) alongside the Creative Industries Council (CIC).

Government defines the creative industries as including music, fashion, design, arts, architecture, publishing, advertising, video games and crafts.

The new deal looks to consolidate the "world-leading" status of the UK's cultural and creative businesses and enable them to "thrive", according to the DCMS.

Focus on virtual and augmented reality

It follows the Bazalgette review, which was conducted last year and looked to increase investment in the UK's creative industries and create one million more jobs in the sector by 2030.

Most of the money from the deal - almost half at 48% - will go towards developing "immersive" and "interactive" tech, as well as research and development (R&D) in the creative industries. Improving creative education and skills are set to receive 1% of the money.

The £150 million investment is split up into: £39 million to support eight creative R&D partnerships between businesses across the UK; £33 million to develop "immersive" tech such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and "interactive" art installations; £20 million for a cultural development fund, which will allow cities and towns to bid for a share of the money; £4 million towards supporting creative businesses, particularly outside of London; £2 million towards tackling online piracy and teaching people about copyright; £2 million towards developing creative skills and education, including a creative careers programme in schools; and £1.5 million towards the games sector.

There is currently roughly £50 million unaccounted for. The DCMS has not confirmed what this money will go towards at the time of publishing.

Creative careers for students from disadvantaged backgrounds

The creative careers programme is being run with the Creative Industries Federation, which will launch a campaign in early 2019 that looks to encourage school students to take on creative jobs, particularly those from disadvantaged and minority communities, says Caroline Julian, head of policy and public affairs at the Federation. The campaign will focus on promoting creative sectors that have "skill shortages" and "where skills be in high demand in the future".

Additionally, a new free school focused on film will be set up in Islington, North London. The London Screen Academy will offer places to 1,000 students aged 16 and over based in the capital, and will teach the creative diploma qualification from the University of the Arts London (UAL) alongside A-Levels.

A new trade board is also being set up specifically for the creative industries to increase exports made by the sector, and discussions will be had about reducing copyright infringement.

Matt Hancock, DCMS secretary, says: "Our creative industries will help develop the talent of the future, ensure people are rightly rewarded for their creative content and give our firms the support they need to compete on the global stage.

"Millions of people around the world enjoy our world-class artistic and cultural output and we want Britain to stay a frontrunner in these vibrant sectors," he adds.

Analysis

The Government's focus on investment into creativity has been welcomed by industry bodies such as the Creative Industries Federation and Design Council.

John Kampfner, CEO at the Federation, says that the sector deal is a "welcome first step", while Sarah Weir, CEO at the Design Council, says that it shows that "the Government recognises the value of the sector to the UK economy", but adds that the design sector's contribution is "sometimes overlooked".

While the creative industries have now been given more precedence in the Government's industrial strategy - which has previously focused on science, tech, engineering and maths (STEM) skills and R&D - the deal seems to favour the tech-side of creativity over other forms.

Fine art, design and education left behind

VR, AR, digital installations, gaming and film, alongside large-scale R&D projects, receive most of the funding, leaving creative education, and sectors such design, arts, architecture, publishing and music falling behind.

The decision to set up a free creative school - focused on film - in London, also begs the question of how much the Government is attempting to diversify the creative industries and build it up in cities outside of the capital.

The cultural development funds do provide an opportunity for other cities to share a piece of the deal, allowing different local authorities to pitch for a portion of the £20 million, which will help them build up culture and creativity in their regions. However, it is not yet clear how many cities will be able to bid for this money, so we do not know how much money each city will be assigned - it could be significant in the millions, or negligible in the thousands.

Drop in students taking art and design at university

While many of the funding initiatives could be seen to help the design industry indirectly - awareness about copyright will benefit product and graphic designers, for instance, while most design disciplines are trying their hands at new tech such as VR and AR - the limited budget given to encouraging school students to take up creative subjects is not promising.

The last few years have seen a significant drop in the number of students taking art and design subjects all the way through the education chain, from GCSE through to undergraduate level. Last year saw 17,000 fewer students take creative subjects at university compared to 2016, while nearly 27,000 fewer school students took art, design and technology subjects for GCSE.

Surely then, as well as investing in the UK's ability to be at the forefront of new tech, the Government also needs to invest in the young people who will pioneer and take this tech further in 10 or 20 years' time?

Where will the rest of the money go?

Nearly £50 million of the funding is currently left unaccounted for - hopefully the Government will see the need to spend a large chunk of this on educational programmes, school talks from industry professionals, and also targeting and opening up opportunities for schools with a high proportion of children from disadvantaged backgrounds and minorities.

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Government promises £150 million for creative industries in new deal

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The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has announced its plans to invest in the UK's creative industries with a new wave of funding but has focused on developing technologies such as virtual and augmented reality rather than creative education.

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The British Fashion Council promotes leading British fashion designers in a global market. Its events and initiatives support and strengthen the UK's reputation for developing design excellence.

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Support for starting a business | Help for young people | The Prince's Trust

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We've helped over 90,000 young people to start their own business - and you could be next. We work with 18 to 30-year-olds living in the UK to turn big ideas into a reality. Get in touch to sign up today.

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Business Start Up Grants & Enterprise Scheme

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Business Start Up Grants & Enterprise Scheme

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Finance for your business | Help for young people | The Prince's Trust

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There are many organisations offering small business grants and loans for new businesses - so we're here to make things simple.

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Finance and support for your business - GOV.UK

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Find government-backed support and finance for business

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Law for Artisan and Development of Craft Activity has main objective to regulate the sustainable development, protection and promotion of the craft, preserving craftsmanship tradition in all its expressions of each place, disseminating and promoting techniques and procedures including quality, representativeness, tradition, cultural value and utility.

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Lloyds Bank - UK Mortgages - Mortgage Switching Deals

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Check your eligibility in minutes for a UK small business loan or overdraft up to £25k. Your credit rating is not affected and there's no obligation to apply.

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Small Business Loan | Business Banking | HSBC

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If you have a long-term project that needs finance, our Small Business Loan could be the ideal way to help you fund it. Visit HSBC to learn more

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If you're an existing customer, it's really important that your personal and business details are close matches to what we have on your file. If they're different, it will be worth updating them before you apply.

If in doubt, please check what is on file at Companies House and update any out of date information before you apply.

Please be accurate with your income declaration. If we believe you can't afford the repayments on the amount you apply, you may be declined.

For instance, if you declare an income of £250,000 and we see £180,000 going through your NatWest account, your application may be referred or declined.

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Our Small Business Loan has been created for companies with an annual turnover of up to £2m. Apply to borrow £1,000 to £50,000 in under 10 minutes if you're already a NatWest customer. Alternatively, take our eligibility check to see how much we'd lend to you.

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NEW! Every section of the Guide is now just one click away from listings of NUJ freelances with the right skills, from the NUJ Freelance Directory. Look up the rate, find a freelance: sorted.

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The toughest question for a freelancer: what rate should I charge?

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From requests to work for nothing to knowing when to up your price, experts and freelancers discuss how to know what your work's worth

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You don't want to charge too much and price yourself out of the market, but you don't want to undersell yourself either. Above all, remember that your skills are valuable, so it's essential you get your rates right before talking to any potential clients.

Here are Creative Boom's top tips on how much to charge for freelance work, followed by some useful links to some of the UK's leading bodies, societies and associations who can offer further guidance on freelance pricing.

Tips on Calculating Your Rates

1. Do some research
A significant first step is to do some research to see what other freelancers are charging for similar work in your area. If you've got more established freelance friends, ask them what their hourly rates are. Compare and come up with a price you feel reflects your skills and experience, but make sure you're competitive.

In my experience, I've known web/graphic designers and illustrators to charge anything between £20-£60 per hour; web/software developers between £25-£90 and copywriters to charge from £20 to £50 per hour. But how long's a piece of string? Your hourly rate will be particular to your skills and expertise, the area you're based, your competition and the type of clients you work with.

2. Know your place
It's worth bearing in mind that agencies - which have the responsibility and cost implications of staff and associated overheads - charge anything between £500 and £900 per day. As a freelancer, you won't be able to charge anything near this amount; unless your skills are very niche and in-demand. So do your research and come up with a suitable figure that reflects your sole status.

3. Calculate your overheads
When considering how much to charge, it's worth taking into account all of your business costs. That's whether it's the rent for your office, insurance, travel, stationery or materials. You've got to cover your expenses, so make sure your hourly rate is reasonable as well as realistic.

4. Consider lost time
You can't expect to charge 40 billable hours each week, particularly as there'll always be lost time taking care of other things like administration, invoicing and other day-to-day tasks. Make sure you account for all those non-billable hours when coming up with your rates.

5. Consider how much you want to earn
Another way to figure out your rates is to ask yourself how much you'd like your annual salary to be - taking into account your weekly billable hours and the number of holidays you want to take. Check out Your Rate - a simple online calculator that will point you in the right direction.

6. Be flexible
When you start talking to clients, you'll soon realise that one day/hourly rate won't suit everyone. But it's wise to charge high first and be prepared to be knocked down on price. Therefore, know your ultimate minimum hourly rate, i.e. the lowest you're ready to go and stick to that.

Go no lower because you have to remember that you've got overheads and business costs to cover plus you don't want to undervalue yourself. Remember, clients can always push you down on price - it never works the other way round.

7. Get comfortable talking about money
Us Brits can't bear to discuss the topic of finances, although I'm pretty sure that's the way everyone feels. But when the topic comes up with clients, you have to be comfortable, open and upfront about how much you charge and why. Don't be afraid to negotiate and have confidence in yourself, your abilities, and how much you're worth.

8. Budgets
When meeting a potential client for the first time, try and establish their budget before you reveal your rates. That way, you can adapt your price accordingly or decide whether you're the right person for the job. If the client is expecting to pay a ridiculously low price for your time, it's a pretty good warning sign that you should run fast in the opposite direction. You're running a business, not a charity!

9. Choose your pricing strategy
When costing up jobs for clients - you have two main strategies to consider: time or project-based. Time is when you log your hours/days and then invoice the client accordingly; project-based is when you calculate how long you think a piece of work will take and provide a fixed-price upfront. Choose the strategy to suit each job.

If in doubt over any project, explain to the client that you charge an hourly rate, based on the time it takes to complete the project - rather than guessing how long it will take the initiative and providing a fixed upfront fee. It's especially important for larger jobs, ones that could throw up all sorts of issues along the way.

10. Consider the unknowns
When costing up jobs, you have to consider your productivity and how much you'll realistically achieve in a set amount of time. It's always best to add on an extra day or two of your time as a contingency. That way, you won't lose any money on the job. Don't put yourself in a situation where you've not budgeted enough hours/days, you'll lose money, and that's not where you want to be.

11. Every project is different
Don't get too worried about having a set hourly or day rate. It will inevitably vary from one project or client to another. Just stay aware of your competition and the economic climate as well as everything we've laid out in this article, and you can't go wrong.

12. Create a rates chart
With your rates likely to differ from one client to the next, create a spreadsheet to keep track. Refer to this at the end of each financial year, so you can assess whether it's time to consider price increases. If you need help with raising your rates, here are some helpful tips to increase prices without losing clients.

Suggested Industry & Job Specific Freelance Rates

Some of the UK's leading bodies, associations and agencies have published recommended freelance rates, allowing you to make comparisons to your own. Here are some of the best sources, broken down by theme:

Digital & Design
In 2014, Cogs Agency put together a comprehensive salary benchmark for London's creative professionals, including recommended rates for freelancers. Some highlights include:

Senior Designer: £250 to £330 (day rate)

Motion Designer: £200 to £300

Junior Designer: £100 to £200

Senior Front End Developer: £350 to £400

Junior Back End Developer: £150 to £250

However, the IT Jobs Watch is far more current, as it tracks the latest going rates for various tech professions. For example, the average daily rate for a developer in the UK is £400, as of April 2016.

If you're a developer or designer, then Mud, an agency based in Bath, has crafted this smart online tool that helps you figure out your rate based on your age, UK location, years of experience and profession.

Editors and Proofreaders
The Society of Editors and Proofreaders has its suggested minimum rates for freelancers, as follows:

Proofreading: £22.75 (hourly rate)

Copy-editing: £26.50

Substantial editing, rewriting, development editing: £33.50

Project management: £33.00

PR & Marketing
According to a survey by the Major Players, rates for PR and marketing professionals vary enormously. Highlights from their findings include:

PR Account Executive: £60-£100 (day rate)

PR Account Director: £190-£250

Content Manager: £200-£300

Social Media Manager: £200-£300

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Essential tips on how much to charge for your freelance work

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You don't want to charge too much and price yourself out of the market, but you don't want to undersell yourself either. Above all, remember that your skills are valuable, so it's essential you get your rates right before talking to any potential clients.

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Rates of Pay Guide

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Rates area for freelancers working in film and TV.

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At the heart of ECF is our grantmaking. We are passionate about supporting communities in Essex to take action and improve the lives of local people and the grants we award range from £250 to £10,000 and support everything from specific projects to everyday running costs.

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You're self-employed if you run your own business as an individual and work for yourself. This is also known as being a 'sole trader'.

You can keep all your business's profits after you've paid tax on them. You're personally responsible for any losses your business makes. You must also follow certain rules on running and naming your business.

When you need to set up as a sole trader

You need to set up as a sole trader if any of the following apply:

you earned more than £1,000 from self-employment between 6 April 2022 and 5 April 2023

you need to prove you're self-employed, for example to claim Tax-Free Childcare

you want to make voluntary Class 2 National Insurance payments to help you qualify for benefits

How to set up as a sole trader

To set up as a sole trader, you need to tell HMRC that you pay tax through Self Assessment. You'll need to file a tax return every year.

Register for Self Assessment.

Your responsibilities

You'll need to:

You'll need to apply for a National Insurance number if you're moving to the UK to set up a business.

You must register for VAT if your turnover is over £85,000. You can register voluntarily if it suits your business, for example if you sell to other VAT-registered businesses and want to reclaim the VAT.

Working in construction industry

Register with HMRC for the Construction Industry Scheme ( CIS) if you're working in the construction industry as a subcontractor or contractor.

Naming your business

You can trade under your own name, or you can choose another name for your business. You do not need to register your name.

You must include your name and business name (if you have one) on official paperwork, for example invoices and letters.

Choosing your business name

Sole trader names must not:

include 'limited', 'Ltd', 'limited liability partnership', 'LLP', 'public limited company' or 'plc'

be offensive

You need to get permission if your name contains a 'sensitive' word or expression, or suggests a connection with government or local authorities. For example, to use 'Accredited' in your business name, you need permission from the Department for Business and Trade ( DBT).

Check which words you need permission to use, and who from.

If you choose a name or logo that's registered as a trade mark or is already being used, the owner could take legal action against you.

If you register a trade mark, it's easier to stop other businesses using your name or logo.

Help and support

You can sign up for business support emails from HMRC to help you if you're working for yourself.

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Register as a sole trader with HM Revenue and Customs and legal responsibilities if you run a business as a self-employed sole trader

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You usually pay 2 types of National Insurance if you're self-employed:

Class 2 if your profits are £6,205 or more a year

Class 4 if your profits are £8,424 or more a year

You work out your profits by deducting your expenses from your self-employed income.

How much you pay

How to pay

Most people pay Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance through Self Assessment.

Special rules for specific jobs

Some self-employed people don't pay National Insurance through Self Assessment, but may want to pay voluntary contributions. These are:

examiners, moderators, invigilators and people who set exam questions

people who run businesses involving land or property

ministers of religion who don't receive a salary or stipend

people who make investments for themselves or others - but not as a business and without getting a fee or commission

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You usually pay 2 types of National Insurance if you're self-employed: Class 2 if your profits are £6,205 or more a year Class 4 if your profits are £8,424 or more a year You work out your profits by deducting your expenses from your self-employed income.

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As an employee, you pay Income Tax and National Insurance on your wages through the PAYE system. It's important to check you have the right tax code and are paying the right amount.

Do you need to pay Income Tax and National Insurance?

You can earn a certain amount of income each year, called your Personal Allowance, before you need to pay any Income Tax.

In general, everyone gets the same Personal Allowance of £11,850 for the year 2018-19.

However, you might get less if your income is over £100,000 or if you owe tax from a previous tax year.

You might also get a larger Personal Allowance if you have overpaid tax from a previous tax year.

How much can you earn before you need to pay Income Tax?

In the UK, the tax system is based on marginal tax rates. That means it's worked out as a percentage of income you earn inside certain thresholds - you don't pay the same amount of tax on everything you earn.

As an employee:

you pay 0% on incomes up to £11,850*

then you pay 20% on anything you earn between £11,851 and £46,350

you'll pay 40% Income Tax on earnings between £46,351 to £150,000

if you earn £150,001 and over you pay 45% tax.

* This assumes you have the standard Personal Allowance of £11,850 which is the amount you can earn before paying tax. Your Personal Allowance might be higher, for example if you've claimed certain allowances or if you've paid too much tax. It could also be lower for example, if you earn over £100,000, the standard Personal Allowance of £11,850 is reduced by £1 for every £2 of income. Find out more about How Income Tax, National Insurance and the Personal Allowance work.
For example, if you earn £52,000 a year, you pay:

How much can you earn before you need to pay National Insurance?

As an employee:

For example, if you earn £1,000 a week, you pay:

If you live in Scotland, National Insurance rates are different. Find out more on our Scotland Income Tax and National Insurance page.

What's the difference between gross and net pay?

If you're an employee, the money you earn (your salary or hourly wage) is called your gross pay.

When deductions from gross pay like tax and National Insurance have been taken off, the amount you receive is called your net pay.

You can see what your gross pay was and how much has been taken off (if anything) on your payslip.

How is tax and National Insurance paid?

If your income is more than your Personal Allowance in a year, you have to pay tax.

In general your Personal Allowance is spread evenly across your pay packets for the year and your employer will take out tax before giving you your pay.

They know how much to take out through a system called PAYE (Pay As You Earn). If it turns out at the end of the year you have paid too much tax, you can get a refund; too little and you will have to pay extra.

Your employer will also make National Insurance deductions from your pay.

This is worked out on a weekly or monthly basis, or however frequently you get paid. Unless there has been a mistake, you cannot get back any of the National Insurance you pay, even if your earnings fall later in the year.

How PAYE works

When you start work, you'll either need to hand in a P45 form from your last job, or complete HMRC's new starter checklist, which you get from your employer.

These forms both tell HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) you've started work and will be used to create a tax code.

Your tax code then tells your employer how much tax to take off your pay. The P46 form is no longer used.

PAYE might be used to collect tax not just on your earnings from this job but also on other income you have.

What is a tax code?

The amount of tax you pay depends on:

Different people have different tax codes, depending on their circumstances.

Every year, HMRC sends out a Coding Notice telling you what your tax code is and how much tax you've paid.

You can also find your tax code on your payslip. It's usually made up of a few numbers and a letter.

How is my tax code worked out?

Your tax code is normally the amount you can earn without paying tax, divided by 10, with a letter added.

For example:

Tax code: 1185L

1185 becomes £11,850 earned before tax.

My tax code has no number, or starts with D followed by a number

This is usually because you have more than one source of income.

Your Personal Allowance is used up on your main income source, and you pay tax on everything you earn from your second income source.

For example, you might work a main job during the day and do shifts in a pub or work in a factory in the evenings.

If you earn more than £11,850 a year in your main job, your second job will be taxed at the basic rate. This can also apply to pensions or money paid out by investments (dividends).

My tax code starts with K

This means you have tax from the past you still need to pay, or you get money or benefits that can't be taxed before you receive it, like a State Pension or company car.

From this, your employer can work out how much should be paid towards what you owe.

The amount you pay will never be more than half the amount you've earned or received during the pay period (whether that's monthly, weekly or another period).

Do you have the right tax code?

Sometimes your tax code isn't right for your circumstances.

For example, if you started work recently and your correct tax code hasn't been worked out before your first payday, you might be on an 'emergency tax code'.

This means you might not be given the right Personal Allowance for you.

For 2018-19, the emergency tax codes are:

If your tax code is one of these, HMRC will automatically update it, but it might mean that for one or two months your pay won't be the same, so be careful with your budgeting.

How do I check my tax code?

To make sure you're on the right tax code, check your code matches the Personal Allowance you should be getting.

What do I do if I think my tax code is wrong?

If you think your tax code is wrong, or if you're in any doubt, contact HMRC.

It's important you give HMRC all the information they ask for so you don't end up on the wrong tax code and pay too much or too little tax.

If you think you've paid too much tax

It's worth checking how much tax you've paid on your wages.

Depending on your circumstances, you might be able to ask for a refund using a form, or you might need to contact HMRC directly.

If you think you haven't paid enough tax

If you think you've underpaid tax, then you might have to complete a tax return.

If this is the case, normal self-assessment time limits apply.

To pay an amount up to £3,000 through an adjustment to your tax code for the following year, you should file a return by 31 December following the end of tax year.

Otherwise, tax still due for the last tax year must be paid by 31 January following the end of the tax year in which the income arose.

If you think you haven't paid enough tax, contact HMRC.

You might be asked to complete a tax return. Be aware if you don't do this, you will normally have to pay penalties and interest once the underpayment does come to light.

Tips and bonuses

If you get money through your job that's not part of your usual wages, like an annual bonus or tips from customers, you'll have to pay tax on it, and usually National Insurance too.

Your annual bonus, if you get one, is treated as if it's part of your normal wages. You'll pay tax and National Insurance on it through PAYE, in the usual way.

If you get cash tips direct from customers or through a 'tronc' system (where tips are pooled and shared between staff members of the pool), you also need to pay tax on them, but not National Insurance, provided the amount you get in tips does not involve your employer. It's your responsibility to tell HMRC about these tips. They will then give you a new tax code estimating how much you get in tips each pay period, and taxes you on that amount. Find out more about troncs from HMRC (PDF).

If a customer gives you a tip via their bank card when paying for a meal or service, and your employer decides whether to share it with you, they are responsible for sorting out the tax and National Insurance. If the employer passes such payments to a tronc, then the rules above apply and no National Insurance is due.

A service charge is not the same thing as a tip, because the customer doesn't choose to pay it. A tip is a payment that's given freely.

Benefits in kind

Sometimes your employer will offer benefits like a company car or health insurance as part of your remuneration package.

These are known as 'benefits in kind'.

You might need to pay tax on the value of these benefits.

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How much Income Tax and National Insurance you should pay

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As an employee, you pay Income Tax and National Insurance on your wages through the PAYE system. It's important to check you have the right tax code and are paying the right amount. You can earn a certain amount of income each year, called your Personal Allowance, before you need to pay any Income Tax.

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We invest in art and culture for a lasting return. We're looking for organisations, artists, events, initiatives and others to apply for our funding and help us achieve our strategy, Let's Create.

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How Much Does It Cost to Make a Video Game? Video Game Budget | Kevuru Games

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Cost to make a video game ⚡ The details of the video game development cycle and how much does it cost ⚡The relationship between cost and complexity

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Maybe you've always wanted to design and sell clothing, but you're stuck on how much you should be charging your customers. We take a look at what you need to know to set the best prices for your clothing to keep customers coming back and keep you in business.

Start With Your Costs

You may have a target selling price in mind when it comes to your clothing line or to a specific type of apparel you're trying to sell. However, starting with your retail price is working backwards. You first need to figure out how much each item costs you.

Maybe you imagined selling a pair of pants for £25. But will that be high enough to return a profit?

Depending on the type of business you own, you may also need to factor in things like utilities, rent, and property taxes into your total cost per unit.

If each pair of pants costs you £20 to produce, then you probably don't want to set a retail price of only £25 if you'd like to earn any profit.

Once you know your cost per unit, you can move on to step 2-choosing the appropriate pricing strategy.

Understand Pricing Methods

You can use two main pricing strategies when setting retail prices for your clothing, and both begin with cost per unit. These models are the absorption pricing model and the keystone pricing (or keystone markup) model. Which pricing strategy you select is up to you.

Keystone Pricing Method

Then the retailer turns around and doubles the price to sell to the consumer, also known as the retail price.

Using the pants example from earlier, your production cost is £20. With the keystone markup method, you'd automatically double the wholesale price to £40 for retailers.

Then retailers would automatically double the retail price to £80 for the end-consumer. This is also known as the retail markup. In this scenario, the retail markup is two times the retailer's price or a 50% markup.

While this may seem extreme on the surface, this type of pricing strategy ensures that all sellers down the line (retailer, wholesaler, creator) earn a profit on the item and continue operating.

Absorption Pricing Method

Again, you'll start with your unit cost. However, this time, when factoring in cost per unit, you'll begin with a formula that adds your manufacturing costs to any overhead costs and administrative costs (rent, utilities, employee salaries, etc.) divided by how many units you've produced.

Let's say those pants cost £20 to manufacture. Then you'll take overhead and administrative costs divided by how many pairs of £20 pants you've produced. Next, you'll add that number to your manufacturing cost of £20.

If overhead/administrative costs were £28,800, and you've already produced 2,400 pairs of paints, then you'd divide £28,800 by 2,400 to arrive at £12 per pair. Add the £12 per pair overhead/administrative costs to your £20 per pair manufacturing costs, and you'll get £32 as the total unit cost for the pants.

Now you can go to the next step. Take your total unit cost (£32) and add your desired profit margin to come up with a wholesale price. Let's say you wanted a 50% profit margin, which is fairly average for the clothing industry. 50% of £32 is £16. Add £16 to £32, and your wholesale price is £48.

Finally, to arrive at the retail price, you'll multiply the wholesale price by any number between 2 and 2.5, giving you a retail price between £96 on the low end and £120 on the high end.

As you can see, there are a few differences between the absorption and keystone pricing methods. The first is in calculating your unit cost. Because the unit cost ended up being higher in our example for the absorption pricing method, your wholesale and retail prices are also affected.

Choosing the Best Method

Maybe you'd like to sell high-end, designer clothing; if so, you can probably get away with higher markups and higher retail prices.

If you're trying to compete with a company like Kohl's or Walmart, which tends to use budget-pricing, you'll have to lower your prices or your profit margin expectations.

If, for example, you were able to get your pants to cost per unit down from £32 to £23 per pair, you could still charge the same price but have a higher profit margin.

A Cost-Saving POS System

While you may be wrapped up in pricing clothing, you'll need to consider how you'll be accepting customer payments for that clothing, whether your customers are the retail end-buyer or wholesalers in between.

Your point of sale system should be secure enough to provide seamless online checkout for online shops and versatile enough to allow you to ring up orders and customer purchases via tablet or mobile phone for brick-and-mortar locations.

Epos Now can handle all those things and more and even allows you to track inventory, sales and review real-time reports so you can spot trends or concerns as they happen.

Not only that, but Epos Now is compatible with some of the world's most popular credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.

Now that you've learned how to price your clothing, you're ready to ring up all those sales.

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Maybe you've always wanted to design and sell clothing, but you're stuck on how much you should be charging your customers. We take a look at what you need to know to set the best prices for your clothing to keep customers coming back and keep you in business.

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Shopify Guide - How to Price your Product

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Shopify Guide - How to Price your Product

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The Price Is Right: 14 Strategies for Finding the Ideal Price for Your Products

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Finding the best pricing strategy for your products is a balancing act. Here are 14 formulas to help you pick the perfect price for your products.

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Find out what financial support you can get for your business.

A full range of business support measures have been made available to UK businesses.

This page help businesses find out how to access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, when the schemes open and how to apply.

Paying your employees

Paying tax

Business rates relief

Support for businesses of any size

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COVID-19 financial support for businesses

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The focus of Enterprise Policy is on promoting enterprise and entrepreneurship and creating the necessary conditions that will enable businesses across all sectors of the economy to start and grow.

Enterprise zone policy

Established in 2012, Enterprise Zones are a key plank of the UK Government's long-term economic plan, supporting businesses to grow. In GB the zones offer a number of incentives including business rate discounts, simplified planning, superfast broadband as well as Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECAs) for a small number of enterprise zones within assisted areas which permit 100 per cent first year allowances for qualifying plant and machinery expenditure. With the exception of ECAs, the NI Executive already supports businesses across Northern Ireland using these levers.

State aid rules stipulate that ECAs cannot be offered alongside other forms of regional aid such as selective finance assistance or business rates discounts. In general ECAs will therefore only be attractive for large, capital-intensive projects where their benefits would outweigh other forms of available support.

In March 2014 in the Chancellor's Budget statement announced the creation of a pilot enterprise zone in Coleraine offering ECAs as an incentive. HM Treasury has responsibility for designating these areas and laid the Statutory Instrument designating the pilot Enterprise Zone in July 2016. It came into force on 5 August 2016. Causeway Coast and Glens Council continue to take forward plans for the development of the Zone which presents a significant economic development opportunity for the area.

Access to finance

Recognising the key issue of access to finance for Northern Ireland SMEs, the former DETI Minister asked her Economic Advisory Group (EAG) to undertake a review of access to finance for businesses within Northern Ireland as part of their 2012-2013 work programme.

The EAG report, published in March 2013, set out 13 recommendations to be implemented by banks, business and government in order to improve the finance environment for SME businesses. These recommendations have set the context for much of the Northern Ireland Executive's initiatives which have been taken forward to address the availability of finance.

The department, together with other key stakeholders, continues to explore options for ensuring local companies have access to appropriate and affordable finance to support investment and assist in continuing growth. This includes working with the UK Government's British Business Bank to promote their range of products for SMEs in Northern Ireland. In addition, Invest NI has put in place a suite of funds totaling more than £170 million. This Access to Finance initiative will ensure that companies with high growth potential are not constrained through lack of access to finance. Through the suite of funds, Invest NI is able to offer a continuum of funding for businesses seeking between £10k and £2m over a series of funding rounds.

​More information on access to financial schemes

If you are interested in information on access to finance schemes that provide equity or loans to business, you may also be interested in Invest NI's suite of funds totalling more than £170m to help SMEs with high growth potential.

Access to Finance Funds for Business

The table highlights a range of access to finance support, covering both bank and non-bank schemes, which is available to business.

This is not an exhaustive list of all forms of support but instead provides a snapshot of the main European, UK and NI schemes. This matrix of support will be updated as new schemes develop. For more detail on each scheme, click the scheme title in the first column of the table.

For further information contact Sector Initiatives Branch on 028 9041 6906.

Business Finance Guide

The Business Finance Guide is a journey from start-up to growth and it has been devised for businesses and advisers by the British Business Bank and a considerable number of other contributors with expertise, who together represent more than a million members in businesses, finance providers and advisory firms and organisations.

This is a unique guide that sets out the main things a business needs to consider and outlines sources of finance available to businesses - ranging from start-ups to SMEs and growing mid-sized companies. The guide also includes several tools and ideas to help businesses consider their options, make decisions and plan how they will finance expansion.

Agri-food sector

The agri-food sector is facing a range of challenges as a result of a rapidly changing environment due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the EU Exit. The Department for the Economy and the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs continue to work together to provide support for the agri-food sector and to help both the industry and government consider the future of the sector and how the sector can adapt, grow and become more prosperous and sustainable.

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The focus of Enterprise Policy is on promoting enterprise and entrepreneurship and creating the necessary conditions that will enable businesses across all sectors of the economy to start and grow. Established in 2012, Enterprise Zones are a key plank of the UK Government's long-term economic plan, supporting businesses to grow.

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Date updated: 11/29/2021

Small and medium-sized enterprises are significant contributors to the wider UK economy and within the City, driving growth and employment. In fact, SMEs make up over 98% of all businesses within the Square Mile. The City of London Corporation is committed to encouraging and supporting enterprise and small business growth within the Square Mile, its neighbouring boroughs and throughout the UK.

We offer a wide range of support and advice for smaller businesses, from advice on accessing finance and helping firms to find suitable premises, to support for establishing responsible business practices, sustainable and local procurement, and contingency planning processes.

You will find information about some of our services, programmes and resources within this section and via the links on the right.

Starting a Business

Small Business Research + Enterprise Centre
Our business research facility provides you with access to an extensive range of business data, information and support events.

If you are thinking of starting a business, Small Business Research + Enterprise Centre can help you access market research, business planning, business advice sessions, and events.

Accessing Finance

COVID 19 assistance
Following the Prime Minister's guidelines, some information has been provided to Local Authorities about grant funding to be delivered to businesses. Visit the business rates in the city page for more information on what's available.
Samuel Wilson's Loan Trust
The Samuel Wilson's Loan Trust provides loans of up to £50,000 to help young entrepreneurs under the age of 40 start or develop a new business. Loans must be repaid within five years, although the exact interest rate and period of the loan will be considered on an individual basis.

Market Research and Business Data

Market research helps you identify key trends in your industry and identify potential markets for growth. It is the best way to keep up with market trends, changes in relevant legislation, new innovations, all of which will help you maintain a competitive edge.

Small Business Research + Enterprise Centre

A SBREC membership will give you access to detailed, reliable business data, from anywhere in the UK. See the full list of business data resources available.
Innovation and Growth
The City of London Corporation's innovation and growth directorate provides timely, robust and independent analyses of issues and trends affecting the City of London and the wider UK economy. Find out more and browse our recent research publications.

Business Healthy

A healthy and happy workforce is a productive one, and is beneficial to the bottom line. Businesses of all sizes (including sole traders) and all sectors are able to access free signposting and support around workforce health and wellbeing through the City Corporation's Business Healthy programme.

Business Healthy is led by the City Corporation's Public Health team and covers the full spectrum of workforce health and wellbeing, including mental health, physical wellbeing, and COVID-19.

Membership of Business Healthy is free and members receive regular updates about workforce health and wellbeing news from the City and beyond. Visit www.businesshealthy.org to find out more.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Heart of the City
Heart of the City is a charity that supports SMEs to be a force for good. Through workshops, masterclasses and expert mentoring, it helps small business leaders to take their first steps towards making responsible business a meaningful part of their business. Heart of the City believes that every business can be a force for good and that SMEs have a significant role to play in creating a sustainable and inclusive economy. Through the Heart of the City foundation programme, leaders learn how to support local communities, reduce environmental impact, build a more diverse workforce and look after employees' wellbeing - and how to put it all into a strategy that'll help SMEs succeed.

Google Digital Garage - 1-2-1 Digital Skills Mentorship

Small Business Research + Enterprise Centre has partnered with Google to bring you free 1-to-1 digital mentoring so small businesses can access expert guidance and support to help adapt their business online.

We understand, UK businesses need more than a one-size fits-all strategy. Google's Digital Skills offers free 1-to-1 mentoring with expert guidance tailored to your specific digital needs.

In this programme small businesses are paired with an experienced mentor who specialise in the areas that they may need help in, from digital marketing implementation to business strategy.
Mentoring Topics include:

Become more discoverable on Google Search and Maps

Creating a digital marketing strategy

Setting up a Social Media strategy

How to sell my products online

Building or optimising my website

Google Analytics

Sign up for your free mentoring sessions

Development for Entrepreneurs

NatWest Business Builder

Business Builder is a completely free online tool which is entirely self serve and can be accessed 24/7 through the dedicated online portal. Designed to support entrepreneurs and business owners to up skill and develop themselves and their business at a time and pace that suits them.

The Business Builder has been developed to support businesses and entrepreneurs at all stages (whether just starting out or an established business looking to make a change). It's completely free and you don't even have to be a NatWest customer to join.

Business Builder supports:

Idea validation helping users to explore and validate of new business ideas or pivot their existing business

Business essentials giving users the knowledge, tools & techniques to put the business processes in place

Entrepreneur development helping users to develop themselves at the same time as their business

Growth strategies supporting users to put sustainable growth plans in place, identifying risks and opportunities

To discover how you and your business can access the power to start, scale and succeed,visit NatWest Business Builder.

Digital Skills with Amazon

Amazon Small Business Accelerator
Enterprise Nation has partnered with Amazon to bring you the Small Business Accelerator.

Amazon Small Business Accelerator is a free, online educational programme for anyone who wants to start a new online business or grow an existing one through a programme of support to assist start-ups and SMEs.

The online learning is tailored to your experience level, with a comprehensive curriculum covering website building, selling online, social media, marketing, managing cashflow, selling on Amazon, and identifying growth opportunities.

Not only is the training free, but by taking part you can access events and offers from partners, and join an intensive bootcamp experience.

Visit Enterprise Nation, for more information and to register.

Creative Business Support

Culture Mile's Creative Sector Support
Culture Mile is developing a global hub of creativity, innovation and learning to deliver economic growth and social mobility for London. We are responding to the needs of the creative sector and supporting creativity to flourish through a range of activities from Autumn 2020. These will include business support, skills development, networking, connecting potential partners and investors, public platforms and other initiatives to support innovation and raise the profile of creative businesses in Culture Mile.

Brexit and EU relationships

To find out about the support available to you and your business please visit our EU relations webpage.
You will find information to help you navigate through the changes and this page will updated regularly.

Small Business Research + Enterprise Centre's business databases give useful guidance and support on the impact of Brexit on different industries

Cybersecurity

Cyber Griffin
Cyber Griffin was founded by the City of London Police in 2017 to support businesses and individuals in the Square Mile to protect themselves from cybercrime. Cyber Griffin offers a range of services which are tailored to meet individual business needs. All services are provided free of charge and are designed to be accessible to everyone, whether they have very little knowledge of cybercrime, or are individuals who hold IT security and risk management roles.

The services offered as part of Cyber Griffin are now all being delivered virtually and include the following:

Baseline briefings designed to raise baseline level of knowledge of all staff by providing basic, effective advice to those with little or no knowledge of cyber security.

Incident response training to help review and improve responses to cyber-attack.

Cyber capability assessment to review an organisation's current cyber security maturity level and highlight any identified vulnerabilities.

Other sources of support and advice

GOV.UK
The GOV.UK portal (which replaces the Business Link website) offers general support and advice on setting up a business, as well as guidance on how to access Government services and resources.
Local enterprise agencies
A local enterprise support organisation can offer support in developing your idea for a business ideas or help you get your business established or grow. Capital Enterprise offers a directory of providers who give business advice to new businesses and entrepreneurs in London.
HM Revenues and Customs
The Government's self-employment pages offer advice on what you need to do when you start a business, including tax and National Insurance and information about the resources and support offered to new businesses by the Government. ​

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Establishing the right freelance graphic design rates is a very important process that you need to take seriously. However, it's something that many designers struggle with. For many creative people, turning your talents and passions into a fruitful business often comes second to the process of creating. In this industry, few people are ever taught how to pursue creative careers . In fact, they are often shooed away from creative industries because these aren't "real jobs" that "pay well". You've heard these comments before-we all have. I'd even consider this pushback an initiation of sorts into the industry, so welcome!

If you are fearful that graphic design could never turn into a practical career, we're here to tell you it can and will. Unlike other fields, there might not be an immediate clear path carved out for you, but if you're still hell-bent on pursuing a career in the graphic design field (which you should), you are one of the lucky ones; now more than ever, there is a high demand for creative professionals across all industries and the types of work available are varied enough to fit any skill set.

Graphic design is a competitive and exciting career. Unlike other fields, graphic designers have more freedom to decide what their career path will be. Want the stability and structured layout of a 9-to-5 job? So many corporations are looking for in-house graphic designers. Hate the idea of a 9-to-5 job? Modern technology makes it possible to be your own boss and cultivate a career as a freelance designer.

There are potential pitfalls and difficulties associated with freelancing, of course, but none as difficult as making the decision on what rates to charge clients. How you approach projects, develop relationships with clients and ultimately earn a decent living are all connected to your approach to pricing.

Graphic design, like any freelancing gig, has its unique quirks. Client expectations can fluctuate wildly, as can the quality of the work. Some clients will gladly fork over $600 for work that took an hour of your time, while others will try to haggle with you over how much time the project should take. There is also the fear of pricing yourself out of the market. In other words, you don't want to be so expensive that only clients with large budgets can afford to work with you. Simply put, there will be a lean season and those smaller clients will be necessary.

So, aspiring freelancer, how do you get this pricing thing right? How do you balance being compensated for your time with being compensated for the value of your work? Here's how:

Know Your Worth (So Clients Know Your Worth)

In the beginning, it can be hard to determine what to charge. If you are just starting out you probably don't have an impressive portfolio to show to clients as proof of your bona fides. And honestly, clients can be wary of first-timers. For this reason, many new freelancers undercut themselves in the beginning stages. They need to attract clients and people are more likely to take a gamble on a newbie if the price is right.

In fact, some entrepreneurs even seek out new freelancers for this very reason. They know that they need to build their clientele list so they expect them to offer more satisfying prices for a similar quality of work as more expensive freelancers.

A good way to get an idea of how much to charge for your services is to compare yourself to other people. Seriously. Pit your experience and expertise up against freelancers in your area and see what they are charging.

This information will give you a good idea on what your starting rate should be and how you can inflate your prices accordingly as you gain more experience and build your client base.

But also keep in mind that your education investment and the type of software you're using should also impact your rates. Don't let clients pay you less because they know how quickly you were able to create a profound design for their brand. Instead, they're paying you your ability to effectively design what they're looking for. It took Paula Scher five minutes to design the Citibank logo, which has now become known as the "1.5 million-dollar napkin" story . It's not the time it takes, but the impact it makes to the client.

Tips for Setting Your Own Prices

If you're feeling overwhelmed with where to start with pricing yourself as a freelancer, here is a little bit more information on what the average hourly rates are in various countries based on a freelancer's experience level.
New York Freelance Rates (from Creative Circle): Australia Freelance Rates (from iknowho): UK Freelance Rates (from Major Players):
There are a number of other out there to help you with pricing. Indeed, Glassdoor and are two sites that help you compare average salaries according to job description and location. There are even sites designed specifically for designers, such as Bonsai. Their rate calculator (which you can try out ) allows you to select your specific skill set, years of experience and location to see the range of what others are charging. If you want to double-check those numbers, you can also try out this rate calculator .

Don't think you are limited to a certain rate, either. Over time, you will know what pricing you can get away with for the quality of work you offer to clients. But keep this in mind: as you continue to become an expert in your field, you may have to start defending your expertise to prospective clients. Such high hourly rates may be met with some pushback, but this is what your progression as a freelancer has prepared you for-backing up your expertise and proving to clients why it's in their best interests to pay for quality and not try to cut corners with a cheaper, less experienced designer.

The Importance of Getting it Right

It should go without saying that the purpose of working is, at the end of the day, to make enough money to pay your bills and live a comfortable (if not fabulous) life. As a freelancer, you have more financial concerns than people who work a regular job.

While you are free to choose when, where and with whom you work, you are also solely responsible for your taxes, retirement and healthcare costs. That means that when you are deciding how much you need to earn to live comfortably, you must add all of these expenses to your bottom line.

A cursory look at freelance graphic design rates will show you a wide variety of prices. Some designers will happily design book covers for less than fifty dollars while others charge thousands for the same work. This reflects not only the differences in the designer's approach to pricing but also the difference in their economic realities and business strategy.

For some people, several small clients who come back regularly are the root of their business. Larger, more expensive projects are harder to come by and can be more sporadic in nature. Others focus on larger clients who want more high-value projects.

Also, keep in mind that certain kinds of jobs are considered more valuable than others. That is to say that not all design is paid equally. So, be realistic about the type of design you are doing and charge accordingly. If you take on multiple types of design work, failing to consider this factor can result in a serious loss of potential income. And, as a freelancer, it's important not to leave money on the table if you can avoid it.

The objective should be to have a good quality of life and a decent work-life balance. It can be tempting to become a workaholic, picking up whatever gig is available and working long hours, especially if you enjoy your work. But a smarter approach will allow you time to enjoy a social life, take a few classes to enhance your skills and be more creative in other ways.

Getting your graphic design pricing correct is the difference between enjoying your career and being shackled to it. If you seem to always be working and living paycheck to paycheck, it's time to re-examine your pricing strategy.

Hourly vs. Project-Based Pay

As mentioned before, there is nothing wrong with setting graphic design hourly rates for some types of work. If you are finding your clients through some of the established freelance markets like , you will notice that more designers have an hourly rate quote. Some designers charge as little as fifteen dollars an hour and others charge hundreds. The average is around USD forty-five dollars an hour for graphic designers. Consider this hourly rate as labor costs for a plumbing job. This is what the client is paying you for the time you spend working. Don't be afraid to be explicit about what is included in that base rate. Think of it as a basic package. For additional items, you will be charging a premium.

Your graphic design hourly rates are negotiable. You aren't locked into them until you officially sign the contract and you don't have to use the same rates for every job. Graphic design hourly rates are a useful tool when working through online platforms or when you are simply moonlighting while you complete your training. However, most freelancers will tell you it's better to charge per project rather than by the hour.

Here, using graphic design hourly rates as a base for your calculations may not be useful in calculating a quote. When charging for the project you must put yourself in the client's shoes. They are looking for a product that will be valuable to them in the long run. For them, this is an investment.

Whether you are designing a logo or an interface for an app, the use and value that they will get out of it will far exceed the amount of money they will spend to have you design it. A website that took you only a few hours to build can generate hundreds of thousands of dollars for them annually.

Your graphic design pricing should reflect that value.

In this case, your knowledge of graphic design pricing is essential. There are plenty of clients who will try to get the most out of you for pennies on the dollar. One way to mitigate this problem is to ask them in the beginning what the budget for the project is. Then you can tell them what kind of service they can expect for that price. If they are looking for extra services it will cost a little more. Freelancers don't have the benefit of an agency to negotiate for them so you must equip yourself to get paid fairly for the value of the work you do.

Another element in graphic design pricing is experience. Are you an expert? Are you an expert at some types of work and a complete amateur when it comes to others? People will pay for expertise. Your graphic design rates should increase as you become more experienced (for some more information on value-based pricing, check out this YouTube clip). Again, since you aren't limited in the types of jobs you take, you may find that you have multiple sets of graphic design rates.

Staying Relevant

This may seem like an odd place to mention acquiring new skills, but it is a deciding factor when determining your graphic design pricing. Take advantage of our fast-paced graphic design course and online resources to learn new skills or advance the ones you already have. With the right combination of skills and creativity, even a person with no graphic design background can begin a graphic design career.

As a freelancer, you are only as good as your portfolio and your willingness to learn and expand your skillset.

This will keep your work fresh and relevant. As a result, freelance graphic design rates don't have to be significantly lower than those charged by design firms. Clients care more about results than qualifications and they are happy to pay top dollar for top quality work, regardless of who completes it.

Common Mistakes

Graphic design rates can vary widely, often according to the geographic location of the designer. When you enter the freelance market your competition is global and that pressure can cause some unforced errors when it comes to freelance graphic design pricing. The most common one is charging too little in order to stay competitive.

Let's face it, freelance graphic design rates from designers in India or the Philippines are not the same as those in the UK or Australia. While they are all bidding on the same jobs, you don't have to low-ball yourself to stay competitive. Factors like ease of communication, time zone differences, quality and experience all matter to the client. Most will happily cough up a few more dollars for a professional, friendly designer who treats them like they are the only client they have. Don't feel bad about asking for more money. You have to eat too!

Your freelance graphic design rates should also take into consideration your tax burden and the need for savings. One way to do this quickly is to calculate how much you should be paid in hand for the project.

Add ten percent for savings and between fifteen and twenty percent for taxes. Often, freelancers forget one or the other when making quotes or setting rates and wonder why they struggle financially when they work regularly.

Another mistake freelancers make is not talking to other freelancers. You don't have to show your tax returns, but it's completely acceptable to ask others about how they set their freelance graphic design rates or how much they charge for a particular project. Just like in the corporate world, the more we know about how we are being paid, the better able we are to make decisions about our careers. Freelance graphic design pricing isn't an exact science and there isn't an established pecking order, but being armed with an idea of who is charging what will help you map out a plan for your career.

On that note, it's also important that you look for good clients. Who are these good clients? The ones that value your work and treat you well. Many freelancers chase projects, focusing on getting the work done and earning the payday. Getting paid is essential, but it's better to have a great client who you work with regularly and who respects your work rather than dedicating yourself to a larger project with a client that raises red flags. This can be done by making sure your freelance graphic design rates are reasonable enough to attract the right kind of client.

While this is not always the case, it has been noted that many clients who are shopping for "cheap" design work tend to be harder to work with. A client who has to invest money in a project is looking for a better relationship with the designer.

And finally, pay attention to your numbers!

Countless graphic designers have struggled as they build careers because they were only keeping track of how much money they were making and not paying attention to other analytics. For example, where do most of your clients come from? Where are they located geographically? When do you have your highest influx of inquiries? How many bids for projects do you win? How many projects do you bid for? What's your busiest time of year?

All of these points of data will help you to avoid problems and can clue you into some changes you may need to make to your strategy. Pricing mistakes aren't the only ones that can cost you. A poor strategy can leave lots of money on the table in unclaimed opportunities.

This is a great time to be a graphic designer. More and more companies are discovering that design and branding are an essential part of the engine that drives sales.

The internet has connected us all, allowing both designers and potential clients to find each other in ways that would have been impossible thirty years ago. In this frenzied digital age, where workers are increasingly afraid of being automated out of their jobs, the human creative element remains an irreplaceable resource. Graphic designers are in the perfect position to take advantage of that reality.

As we see the role of designers expanding and new roles developing, we can expect continued growth for designers. It has also never been a better time for freelancers. The gig economy is not without its perils, but freelancers are organizing, networking and creating a new landscape for the future of work.

Freelancers demanding to be paid what their work is worth not only helps other freelancers, but also people working as part of corporate entities. The more people are empowered to take responsibility for their own financial future, the more equitable the markets of the future will be.
Want more insights on working as a freelance designer? #ShilloMAN graduate Matt Pealing shares his advice about freelancing based on his experience working on a wide range of design projects-from brand identities to illustration.

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Freelance Graphic Design Rates: Tips For Pricing Yourself

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Establishing the right freelance graphic design rates is a very important process that you need to take seriously. However, it's something that many designers struggle with. For many creative people, turning your talents and passions into a fruitful business often comes second to the process of creating.