Government Bodies

What is the HMRC and what do they do?

The HMRC is Her Majestys Revenue and Customs. They are interested in any money that they can derive from business that comes into the country or goes out of it, and they also handle all Value Added Tax. What they do is control and keep an eye on the flow of goods in and out of the country, and around the country. If there's anything that is subject to taxation to do with your business, then they will probably track you down.

What is the DTI and what do they do?

The DTI is the department of Trade and Industry, and they are a government body made up of civil servants. It is their job to make sure that all the legislation that the government of the day passes is correctly enforced and enacted in the business community.

Who are the Patent Office and what do they do?

The Patent Office are the government body that keeps track of and monitors all patents issued in the country. A patent usually applies to something technical, or a piece of machinery that is uniquely invented by a particular company. The Patent Office will work out whether it is indeed unique, and will only issue a patent if it is unique. Once the company has that patent, it gives them legal protection against others copying them.

Who are Companies House and what do they do?

Companies House, the body that keep a record of every legitimate limited company in the country - that could be just one person as a limited company, or it includes all the massive corporations as well - have to keep a note of everybody's activities, register their report and accounts every year, and make sure that everything is above board.