I emailed the SIA on Monday and got conflicting answers from the regarding "sole trader" and LTD company. So I asked for it to be passed on as I wanted a definition of "Sole trader" and got the following reply (which tallies with HMRC). Note a new email address for anyone else who has questions about BL......BusinessSupport@sia.gsi.gov.uk
Limited companies supplying security operatives require a business licence. As a limited company, this would apply to you even if you only supply yourself.
As to the definition of a sole trader; a sole trader is a self-employed person, but they are the sole owner of their business and there is no legal distinction between the owner and the business. You are not technically a sole trader as you are a limited company and the company is supplying your services.
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Now all we have to do is get HMRC to accept self-employment status for security operatives!!