Government boost for home workers

THE opportunity for entrepreneurs to start a business from home has been given a boost under a new package announced by the Government today.

Around 70% of new businesses start off in the home and contribute £300bn to the economy.

As part of its long-term economic plan to back businesses, the government wants to make it easier for people thinking of starting a home business to do so with the law on their side.

The new measures announced include:

New legislation will make it easier for people to run a business from a rented home. The law will be changed so that landlords can be assured that agreeing to this will not undermine their residential tenancy agreement. A new model tenancy agreement will also be made available shortly

Updated planning guidance makes it clear that planning permission should not normally be needed to run a business from your home

New business rates guidance clarifies that in the majority of circumstances home based businesses will not attract business rates.

The Business Minister Matthew Hancock announced the package at the first Home Business Summit, organised by the small business network Enterprise Nation.

Mr Hancock said: “There’s never been a better time to start a business, and even more people are choosing to start up from home.

“It’s this spirit of personal endeavour and self-determination that is driving our economic recovery. But home businesses don’t just fire up the economic engines and create jobs, they turn dormitory towns into living communities, they keep our streets safer, and by driving down car emissions, cleaner too.

“We know that starting up any business can also be hugely stressful and that’s why today I am announcing that the government will change the law to make life easier for Britain’s home businesses. We’ll give people the confidence they need to run a business from a rented home, making sure that the majority of home businesses are exempt from business rates and our aspiring entrepreneurs have the information they need to start up and grow.”

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