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Welcome to the September edition of Test Valley Business Matters.
This month, there's quite a bit on skills and employment: changes being introduced in October under the Employment Rights Act, zero hours contract guidance, new apprenticeship incentives and free ACAS webinars on disciplinary and grievance topics. We're also flagging specific funding schemes for farmers and for manufacturers.
The next Andover business breakfast is tomorrow at Andover College, focusing on workplace health. Today is your last chance to book a place: Andover Vision Business Breakfast Tickets
Finally, save the date for the Test Valley Business Awards Gala dinner. It will be held on Saturday 17 October at Thruxton Circuit. Tickets will be available through the TVBA website shortly. The finalists will be announced later this week.
 Forecasting and inventory management
The FSB has produced some free guides and resources on demand and sales forecasting, and stock control and inventory management. They include a free downloadable demand and sales forecast excel template. FSB also offers free access to articles and guides on numerous topics including payment, insurance, digital, HR, legal compliance and trade. You will need to register your details to download the guides.
Cyber security training
The Cyber Resilience Centre for the South East is offering fully funded Security Awareness Training for sole traders or staff of small and medium sized businesses. A 2.5 hour session is available on Wednesday 23 September. It can be booked via this link: Staff Awareness Training - Cyber PATH.
Small Business Service tip of the month
Can AI find your website?
Customers now ask ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini for recommendations as well as using Google search. If your site is not clear and consistent, AI tools skip straight past you.
Three quick wins:
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Say what you do, where and for whom near the top of your homepage.
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Keep your details consistent across your website, Google business profile and social media.
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Add a FAQ page with real customer questions and short, direct answers.
Your next step: ask your favourite AI assistant, "Can you give me a step-by-step guide to make my website more visible to AI search?" It will talk you through it in plain English, free of charge.
Remember, Test Valley businesses can access the free Test Valley Small Business Service. Email support@incuhive.co.uk to set up a meeting.
Catalyst programme for new tech businesses
Applications opened this week for the spring 2027 cohort of Southampton Science Park's Catalyst programme for start-ups, spinouts and early stage technology-driven businesses. Successful applicants spend one day a week for 18 weeks at Southampton Science Park attending in-person workshops and one-to-one mentoring sessions aimed at driving fast-track growth. The programme enables founders to develop a clear offer and a robust business plan, identify early customers and advocates, build a marketing and sales strategy, and establish the financial and legal footings to raise investment. The application window closes on 11 December.
 British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme
The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) is a new scheme designed to reduce electricity costs for manufacturing businesses operating in Industrial Strategy growth sectors. Eligibility depends on the sector you operate in (as determined by SIC codes) and the types of products you manufacture. An eligibility tool can be found here: Check eligibility of a manufacturing site.
The scheme opens for applications on 1 October and closes on 30 November. Energy bill reductions are expected to start from April 2027. The Department of Business is hosting a webinar on 24 September to provide further guidance. Written guidance for applicants is also available.
 Farming grants
The Government has announced that the next application window for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI26) will open in September for all eligible farms and land managers. An additional £50 million has been added to the scheme budget as part of a wider drought-support package.
The Government has also confirmed that the Water Management Grant will reopen in autumn 2026, with up to £15 million available to support the construction of on-farm reservoirs. Detailed eligibility criteria and application dates have not yet been published.
A summary of the August drought-support announcements can be found here: New drought support for farmers – Farming
Information on current grants for farmers, growers and land managers can be found here: Funding for farmers, growers and land managers - GOV.UK
 Employment Rights Act
A number of changes will be introduced under The Employment Rights Act in October:
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Employment Tribunal time limits for bringing a claim to the Employment Tribunal will increase from 3 to 6 months (from 1 October)
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Trade Union reforms will be introduced giving independent trade unions the legal rights to access workplaces and engage with workers. Employers will also need to inform workers of their right to join a trade union (from 30 October)
- Employers will be required to take ‘all reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment of their employees and to protect them from harassment from third parties (from 30 October).
From 1 January 2027, employees will gain protection against ordinary unfair dismissal after six months' continuous service, rather than the current two years. In view of this, some businesses are reviewing the length of their probation periods. An updated ACAS guide on probation periods can be found here: What probation is - Probation periods - Acas
Further information on the changes being introduced under the Employment Rights Act can be found here: New employment rights: Guidance for businesses and workers. ACAS has also updated its guidance on sexual harassment in light of the new obligations.
Zero hours contracts
The Government has produced some current guidance on zero hours contracts. In due course, the law is likely to change on zero hours contracts but this has not yet happened.
Apprenticeships
There has been media coverage of increasing numbers of school and college leavers seeking apprenticeship opportunities. If you want to find out more about hiring an apprentice, Government guidance can be found here: Hire an apprentice.
The Government is introducing additional support for smaller employers who take on apprentices starting on or after 1 October 2026. Employers that do not pay the Apprenticeship Levy (generally those with an annual pay bill below £3 million) can receive a £2,000 hiring payment when they recruit a new apprentice aged 19-24. Employers recruiting a new apprentice aged 16-18 can receive a total of £3,000 through the new £2,000 hiring payment and an existing £1,000 employer payment for younger apprentices. These payments are made in instalments while the apprentice remains employed and on their apprenticeship. In addition, the Government funds 100% of apprenticeship training and assessment costs for apprentices aged 16-24, up to the relevant funding band maximum.
Free ACAS webinars
ACAS is running free sessions on disciplinary and grievance topics over the next few weeks:
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