Advice to businesses

What would happen to your business if you were affected by a fire, flood, storms, theft, fraud or vandalism?

In 1996 the Manchester bombing affected over 600 businesses. Within six months 250 of these had gone out of business. Many of those that survived had a business continuity plan.

Businesses affected by a disaster that do not have a plan in place only have a 50 per cent chance of surviving the next 12 months.

Developing your own business continuity plan could help you to be one of those companies that survive.

Depending on the size and nature of your business will depend on how comprehensive your plan needs to be. By following the links below you can self assess your business to see how prepared you already are, and find out more information on whether you need to take further action.

London Prepared (opens in a new window) gives an assessment on what you would need to consider. Then it gives guidance and advice for any size of business, whether you employ less than 10 people or more than 250, through a five-step guide.

The Business Continuity Institute (opens in a new window) provides the Good Practice Guidelines which are available to download.

UK Resilience (opens in a new window) has further guidance on business continuity and gives the latest news on any issues affecting the UK.

Preparing for Emergencies (opens in a new window) gives information to businesses, voluntary and community groups on what you can do to prepare for emergencies.

The Cabinet Office has published a Pandemic Flu Checklist for Businesses (opens in a new window) (PDF 129KB, four pages) to assist in developing and reviewing plans. It identifies important and specific activities which organisations can do to prepare for a pandemic.