|
Welcome to the August edition of Test Valley Business Matters. We hope you are having a good summer.
This month we're announcing free AI training sessions for Test Valley businesses from Luke Williams of Intergage. Some of you will have met Luke because he ran two very well-received workshops for us in Andover and Romsey last year. He will host an introductory webinar for those that are just starting to consider AI and then a half-day in-person workshop at Beech Hurst in Andover looking at practical use cases. See below for more information.
This newsletter also provides details on the Government's consultation on Late Payments, and indicative timings for their implementation of the Employment Rights Bill. In addition, there's a survey which we encourage businesses in the visitor economy to complete. We are also highlighting funding for EV chargepoints.
 Free AI training
TVBC is once again hosting free AI training for Test Valley businesses, led by Luke Williams from Intergage. There will be an initial one-hour webinar on 7 October at 10am for anyone new to AI. This will cover:
- An overview of the current state of AI
- Understanding how Large Language Models (like ChatGPT) work
- Basic ChatGPT prompting
- Ethical considerations, unique risks and opportunities of AI
- Q and A
You can sign up for this webinar here: AI for Small Businesses - Introductory Webinar
Luke will then lead a practical half-day workshop at the TVBC offices at Beech Hurst in Andover on Tuesday 14 October from 09.15am to 12.30pm. This will cover:
- Example real-world AI use-cases across a range of business areas
- Identification of AI use-cases in your business through a brainstorming exercise
- A step-through tutorial on creating your first Custom GPT or Agent
- A simple framework for piloting, measuring and evaluating the use of AI
- Developing a draft AI Statement and roadmap for your business
- Discussing adoption of AI with other small business owners
This workshop will assume a basic understanding of AI as covered in the webinar. You can sign up for the half-day workshop here: Adopting AI in Business Workshop. Places will be limited. We intend to run a similar workshop in Romsey in due course.
Small Business Plan
The Government has published a Small Business Plan that can be accessed here: Backing your business: our plan for small and medium sized businesses.
The plan includes:
Consultation on Late Payments
As part of its Small Business Plan, the Government is consulting on a package of proposed legislative changes to address late, long, and disputed business-to-business payments. The proposals aim to improve cash flow through supply chains and support small businesses with payment disputes.
The measures being consulted on are as follows:
- Audit committee and board-level scrutiny of large company payment practices
- Maximum payment terms of 60 days
- 30-day deadlines for disputing invoices
- Introduction of mandatory statutory interest on late payments
- Reporting of statutory interest due to late payments
- Financial penalties for persistent late payers
- Additional powers for the Small Business Commissioner
- Changes to payment performance reporting
- Retention clauses in construction contracts
Further information can be found here: Late payments: tackling poor payment practices - GOV.UK. The link for consultation responses is here: Late payments consultation. The deadline for responses is 23 October 2025.
 Planning application for the new Andover theatre
A planning application has now been submitted for the construction of the new theatre in Andover, and the accompanying changes to the facade and entrance to the Chantry centre.
The theatre in its new location is designed to:
- enhance Andover's daytime and evening economy
- draw more people into Andover to support local businesses
- provide new community spaces
- connect local groups and organisations
- offer modern, flexible environments for creativity and collaboration.
Further details and the design proposals can be accessed here: Theatre — ANDOVER TOWN CENTRE.. The planning application (reference number 25/01677/FULLN) can be viewed here: Planning Applications.
Note that all TVBC contracts for the Andover Regeneration projects will be managed through the UK public etendering system here: eTender portal. You must register on the system if you wish to bid for any opportunities.
 The Local Visitor Economy Partnership for Hampshire is conducting a survey to support the development of a new Destination Management Plan for the region. They are very keen to hear from business involved in the visitor economy including those in hospitality, attractions, retail, food and drink, accommodation, events and transport. If Please share your views via this link: Visitor Economy Survey The deadline is 30 September.
 Funding for electric chargepoints at depots
The Government has announced support for fleet operators with the costs of installing charging infrastructure for electric HGVs, vans and coaches at fleet depots. To apply, you must:
- be a registered fleet operator
- have been operating in the UK for at least a year.
- either own your own depot or have landlord consent to install chargepoints
- own, lease or order at least one electric vehicle
- have sufficient grid capacity at the depot to support charging by 31 March 2026
- complete installation of chargepoints by 31 March 2026.
The scheme will fund up to 75% eligible costs for the purchase, installation and energisation of chargepoints. The closing date for applications is 28 November 2025. Further information can be found here: Depot Charging Scheme - GOV-UK Find a grant.
EV infrastructure grants for businesses
There are further EV charging schemes for SMEs SME Electric vehicle infrastructure grant for staff and fleets and for all workplaces, including those where a residential property is listed as your place of business at Companies House Workplace Charging Scheme
 Cyber security and Windows 10
The South East Cyber Resilience Centre is highlighting the fact that Microsoft will be ceasing support on 14 October 2025 for Windows 10. This means that devices running Windows 10 will no longer receive security updates or bug fixes making them vulnerable to malware and data breaches. They advise businesses to audit their systems and plan to either upgrade to Windows 11 or replace devices if necessary.
Employment Rights Bill implementation
The Government has published a road map for implementation of its Employment Rights Bill. It can be accessed here: Implementing the Employment Rights Bill - Our roadmap for delivering change. They will run various consultations between now and early 2026. There are a large number of provisions; the current proposals include the following:
From April 2026:
- Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave available from an employee's first day on the job
- All employees to become eligible for Statutory Sickness Pay from the first day of sickness absence
From October 2026:
- Restrictions on fire and rehire
- Consultations with employee representatives on tipping policies
- Requirement for employers to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment of their employees
- Six month time limits for employment tribunal
From 2027:
- Gender pay gap and menopause action plans
- Enhanced protection for pregnant workers
- Day one right to protection from unfair dismissal
- Statutory right to bereavement leave including for parents who experience miscarriage before 24 weeks of pregnancy
- Requirement for employers to justify a refusal of a flexible working request.
|
