Credit crunch and debt advice

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The economic downturn (credit crunch) is affecting everyone including businesses, families, individuals and charities. This page has a list of links to useful information and websites that can provide advice and support for people in the St Edmundsbury area.

Link	Details
Advice for Business - Nat West website - MoneySense	Nat West has produced a useful guide for businesses called 'Trading during the Economic Downturn' which can be downloaded from:
Benefits	Check if you are eligible for Housing or Council Tax benefit, apply for benefits, notify us of a change in your circumstances on line, and find out where you can get independent advice.
Business funding	Small companies may find it difficult to obtain finance from banks as they do not have the adequate security to be accepted, but there is help and support available from other sources.
Business Link East	A government-funded service offering free, independent and impartial advice on starting a business, signposting to a range of different support providers and health checks for established businesses. Phone: 0845 7171 615
Carbon Trust	Help for organisations wanting to reduce carbon emissions and develop commercial low carbon technologies. Phone: 0800 0852 005
Chamber of Commerce	Suffolk Chamber has teamed up with the Haven Gateway Partnership to create a ‘Support and Funding Opportunities for Business’ brief, which pulls together the key support and funding initiatives that are available to business during the economic downturn. You will find it on their website homepage.
Citizens Advice Bureaux	Citizens Advice Bureau Risbygate Centre Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP33 1AA Phone: 01284 753675 www.burystedmundscab.org.uk Citizens Advice Bureau Lower Downs Slade Haverhill Suffolk CB9 9EE Phone: 01440 704012
Council initiatives to help counter the effects of the economic downturn (PDF 95Kb)	Steps that St Edmundsbury Borough Council are taking to help businesses and individuals through the economic downturn.
Council Tax	Council Tax Benefit helps people on a low income who are having difficulty paying their Council Tax bill.
Credit Crunch Suffolk	Organisations across Suffolk, including the county, borough and district councils, local credit unions, citizens advice bureaux and many more, have pooled their knowledge to give you reliable sources of advice and information on benefits, energy, housing, money and work.
Credit Unions	Ipswich and Suffolk Credit Union: Credit Unions are financial cooperatives owned and run by members to provide alternatives to banks, building societies and high interest lenders.
Debt advice	Benefits independent advice - if you are having particular problems with paying your council bills, or you have any other bills outstanding, then you may wish to seek independent advice from organisations such as Citizens Advice Bureau.
Debt Advice Foundation	A registered national debt advice charity offering free, confidential support and advice to anyone worried about debt. We can help you understand what options are available to you and because we're a charity, you can be sure that our advice is 100% impartial and based solely on what is best for you.
East of England Development Agency	East of England Development Agency (EEDA) has introduced a ground-breaking new map which offers a clear route to success - with a simple view of publicly-funded business support to help businesses on their journey: www.bizmapeast.co.uk EEDA have also published: East of England advice and guidance for employers and their employees during the economic downturn
UK trade and Investment	Delivers UK trade and investment services and supports regional businesses seeking to win a share of the global market. Free and confidential help to overseas-owned companies setting up or expanding in the UK. Phone: 0845 641 9955 or Email: info@uktieast.org.uk
Economic Development	The Economic Development Unit seeks to develop and regenerate the economy and community, with key objectives being to create employment opportunities and secure external funding for the benefit of the Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill and the rural areas of St Edmundsbury.
Energy Efficiency	Information on energy efficiency for both residential and commercial premises.
Grants	Community development grants - supporting voluntary organisations and community groups. Energy efficiency grants - details of schemes offering discounts on cavity wall and loft insulation. Housing grants - St Edmundsbury Borough Council offers a range of grants and loans to owner occupiers, landlords and tenants to help fund repair and improvement works to their homes. Rural Areas Community Initiatives Fund - Capital grants awarded from £500 to £5000 towards community projects.
Housing	Information and advice on Housing benefit, low cost home ownership, HomeLink, homelessness.
Inland Revenue	Advice on tax credits, child benefit and much more. Tax credits - phone: 0845 3003 900 Child Benefit phone: 0800 302 1444 Check their website for other contact details for individuals, families, and businesses.
Jobcentre Plus	Jobcentre Plus supports people of working age from welfare into work and helps employers to fill their vacancies. Looking for a job? Phone: 0845 6060 234
Mid Anglian Enterprise Agency (MENTA)	Offers one-to-one advice for businesses, training, workshops and networking opportunities.
Money made clear	Organisations that can help you - links to useful financial information from The Financial Services Association (FSA), including debt advice, information for carers, pensions and much more - just scroll down the page.
Relate	Relate offers advice, relationship counselling, mediation, consultations and support face-to-face, by phone and through their website.
Rural communities	Rural Action Plan, the Rural Areas Community Initiatives Fund and much more.
Small Business Rate Relief	Small Business Rate Relief is available at 50% for ratepayers occupying a single property with a rateable value of up to £5,000, with relief declining in percentage terms on a sliding scale until it is 0% for a property with a rateable value of £10,000. The relief is only available to ratepayers with either: one property; or one main property and other additional properties providing those additional properties have rateable values less than £2,200. More information: Business Rates or National Non-Domestic Rates Application form: Small Business Rate Relief (PDF 280Kb)
Stimulating the local economy (PDF 90Kb)	Recent council Initiatives to help counter the effects of the economic downturn.
Through good times and bad – the ‘credit crunch’ in St Edmundsbury	How St Edmundsbury is helping.
Tourist Information Centre	The Tourist information centre can publicise your business or event.
Town Centre Management - Bury St Edmunds	The town centre management group of Bury St Edmunds is an umbrella organisation consisting of businesses, organisations, residents, youth and services throughout the area, here to promote everything that is special about Bury St Edmunds and to work together to ensure the success, vibrancy and welcome is always here for the future. Steve Peters, Bury St Edmunds Town Centre Manager 90 Guildhall Street Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP33 1PR Phone: 01284 766258 Email: steve.peters@burytcm.co.uk Website: www.burytcm.co.uk
Town Centre Management - Haverhill	helping the town centre realise their natural role both as prosperous locations for business and investment, and as focal points for vibrant, inclusive communities. Tina Hanks, Haverhill Town Centre Manager Haverhill Council Offices Lower Downs Slade Haverhill Suffolk CB9 9EE Phone: 01440 765100 Email: tina.hanks@stedsbc.gov.uk
Train to Gain	A government service offering independent advice on improving the skills of employees to improve business performance. Phone: 0800 387 326
Weather the storm leaflet (PDF 2Mb)	Cambridgeshire Together have produced a guide that provides details of national and local organisations that can advise and support individuals, families and businesses through the economic storm.