I have recently gone self employed (sole Trader) does any body know what i can put down as business expenses..

I have a car on HP, can i put this through the business as i drive alot, what about life cover etc that i have, can i put that through as death in service. I also have a static caravan (unrelated to my business) which i let out at a loss can i set this up as a business so that i can allow for depreciation, site fees etc and then offset the loss that the caravan makes against the gains from my main business. I know i will have to declare the income from the van on my IR tax returns. Does anybody know any UK websites that give me more info?

Raysor is correct. You must record all the outgoings connected with the business or else your accounts will not be accurate. As a sole trader, you decide what your business needs in order to make money and every business is different. If you and I were running gardening businesses, I might decide to sign paint my van and you might decide not to - my sign painting would be included in my accounts because I had decided it's right for my business.
Life cover, however, is a personal expense - it is not paid in order to earn you money, but as provision for your family if you die (whatever work you were doing).
Caravan lettings are not counted as a business, but as investment income, so the losses on that can only be carried forward against future profits from the same source.
The interest on the HP should be included in your accounts, along with all the other running expenses of the car. You will then add back your private use of the vehicle on your tax return.
If you have a separate bank account for the business, you will find it easier to keep track of the business income and expenditure.

Basically you can do what you like, but business expenses must be just that, business expenses. (this could be proportional) If you claim fraudulently the IR probably won't notice or not be interested unless huge amounts. The problem comes, when 4 or 5 years down the road the IR do a random check. It is best, I think to pay an accountant a few hundred a year to advise you on this. Agian don't employ an accountant who appears to svae you lots of money, just to justify his fee, when you may get the same problem as above.
In the UK, at least, you CANNOT claim expenses for entertaining clients, unless they are from overseas

You can only claim for the interest on an Hp agreement for your car. You can also claim your phone rental, but not the calls. Also,fuel expenses, but only during working hours. Part of your car insurance, if you only have one car. Replacement of tools, workclothes. Any insurances to do with your business only. You also have to register with the VAT people, and have Public Liability Insurance. Hope this helps.

Get yourself a good accountant - its a small outlay and they'll know all the ways to save you money.

You can't take a client out for dinner and charge this back to your accountant - my Boyf is a photographer and was told he cannot do this *but* if he is booking models for the whole day, he obviously has to provide food and drink for them and this is then written off as 'catering'.

You can put your car down provided it is used for your business. You may be asked to keep petrol receipts and log your mileage - sometimes the Tax Man asks questions!