For details on the minimum wage increase ring the National Minimum Wage helpline on 0845-6000 678.

The OU’s part time Certificate in Accounting provides fundamental skills and a fast route in to the accounting profession. You’ll learn all about accounting systems and procedures, how to prepare accounts for audit and how to use accounting information for decision-making.  Click now for your FREE prospectus

The FT Tax Guide is packed full of information to help you manage your tax affairs, including a guide to completing your tax return. Visit www.taxguide.co.uk to order a copy.

It costs businesses nothing, can raise millions of pounds for charities and there’s even the possibility of a grant to help set it up, but the Give As You Earn scheme is being under-used as it seems too good to be true. Click here to find out more.

The Financial Times Guide to Business Start Up, last year's best-selling guide, remains the only annually updated small business publication. It's the reference tool for anyone considering starting or growing their own business. The 2007 edition provides all the financial and legislative information you need to know as an employer. To order your copy click here.

(price £630). Useful but expensive survey (April 2004) on prevailing recruitment and salary trends. For a copy call Remuneration Economics on 020-8549 8726. The Smaller Business Review, which is based on the 125 companies in the survey, is priced at £315. If purchasing both together the price is £750.

- Employed or Self-Employed? IR56
- National Insurance contributions for self-employed people with small earnings 2004/2005 CA02 - National Insurance Contributions for self-employed people, class 2 and class 4 CWL2 - National Insurance Contributions, class 2 and class 4; Direct Debit - the easier way to pay CA04

All available from your Inland Revenue (NI) Contributions office (look in telephone directory under Inland Revenue) or by phoning the Class 2 NIC Helpline on 0845-915 4655. They can also be viewed at: www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk .

Visit the Government's website at http://www.direct.gov.uk/Employment/Employees/fs/en
for further details on parental leave and national minimum wage.