Skip to main content
Helping your business to Start, Grow and Develop.

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.

New watchdog to protect workers' rights

8 June 2021

The government has announced plans for a new body that will take over responsibility for enforcing the rules on modern slavery, the minimum wage and other employee rights.

The new watchdog - which has yet to be given a name - has been established to clamp down on workplace abuse and provide a one-stop-shop where employees and businesses can go for help on workers' rights. It will also make it easier for employees to get the holiday and sick pay they are entitled to without having to resort to legal action.

Until now, responsibility for tackling modern slavery, enforcing the minimum wage and protecting agency workers had been spread across three different bodies. Now it is being brought under one roof and the government has pledged that businesses that break the rules will have "nowhere to hide".

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) says the watchdog will provide a "single, recognisable port of call for workers so they know their rights and can blow the whistle on bad behaviour" as well as helping businesses to do the right thing by providing guidance.

As well as enforcing all existing powers, the new body will have a new ability to ensure vulnerable workers get the holiday pay and statutory sick pay they are entitled to - without having to go through a lengthy employment tribunal process.

Business minister Paul Scully said: "This government has been absolutely clear that we will do whatever we can to protect and enhance workers' rights. The vast majority of businesses want to do right by their staff, but there are a minority who seem to think the law doesn't apply to them."

He added: "This new workers' watchdog will help us crack down on any abuses of workers' rights and take action against companies that turn a blind eye to abuses in their supply chains, while providing a one-stop shop for employees and businesses wanting to understand their rights and obligations."

The new body will continue the naming and shaming scheme that calls out companies who fail to pay workers what they are owed and which can hit rogue employers with fines of up to £20,000 per worker. The watchdog will also scrutinise sectors where abuse is most common, including construction, agriculture and the garment industry. The plans could include a future Garment Trade Adjudicator which would have the power to ban goods made in factories where workers have been repeatedly underpaid.

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.