Author: Tim Ridgway

State of Surrey economy winter 2025 research: residents report worries about employment

Published 3 December 2025

Advice and support, Business news, Skills and workforce

The State of Surrey economy winter 2025 research reveals resident worries about work and employment. Extra support is now available from Surrey County Council after new data showedย one-in-three (32%)ย know someone who has lost their jobย in the last year.ย 

The findings,ย generated byย Surrey County Councilโ€™sย ongoing in-house resident panelย research,ย highlightsย the growingย day-to-dayย concernsย facingย the 1.2 million residents in the region.

Responses show more than half report their own personal financial circumstances had worsened in the last year. And, of those currently employed, more than one in five expressed worries about losing their job within the next 12 months. 

It comes as the recent government figures show more than 26,900 people in Surrey are out of work but actively seeking employment. 

Theย councilย โ€“ย working with government,ย employersย and training providers โ€“ย isย responding directly to these challenges. This includesย stepping upย itsย county-wideย offerย for thoseย who are out of work or looking to gain new skills to boost their career.ย 

Employment support available for Surrey residents

The launch of STEP Surrey, a new single gateway for skills and employment, is now live. This brings together help for jobseekers to learn new skills, find work and access employment support in one place. 

Skills Bootcamps, providing free fast-track training in growing sectors such as construction, cyber security, gaming and green industries, are also available. 

For those with barriers to work, there is dedicated employment support available.  

This includes Connect to Work, a pioneering government-funded programme which aims to support 2,000 residents with disabilities and other complex challenges into suitable sustainable employment over the next five years. 

And WorkWell provides free one-to-one coaching service for Surrey residents with health issues to start, stay or return to work. 

For business owners, budding entrepreneurs and freelancers, the Business Surrey website offers business support and start-up advice.  

Matt Furniss, Surrey County Councilโ€™s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said: โ€œWhile Surreyโ€™s economy is performing well overall, our residents are not exempt from issues facing the whole of the UK. These findings show that many of our residents are being directly impacted by challenges such as the cost-of living, unemployment or health issues. While I appreciate this can bring stress and anxiety, the positive news is there is help available.  

โ€œWe are using enhanced responsibilities from Whitehall to work with government, employers and training providers to ensure there is expert support available alongside local job opportunities from businesses who are desperate to recruit local talent. 

โ€œI encourage those impacted to get in touch via STEP Surrey so that we can provide them with the bespoke support they need to find work that works for them and their loved ones.โ€ 

What is the State of Surrey economy winter 2025 research?

The State of Surrey economy winter 2025 research is carried out by Surrey County Council’s residents intelligence unit.

More than 550 people took part in Octoberโ€™s resident panel survey. This asks a range of questionsย on the economy.ย ย 

Responders identified inflation, housing and infrastructure as the biggest economic challenges currently facing the county. And nearly 70% felt the economic situation in Surrey had worsened over the past year. 

For more information on the councilโ€™s resident panel, contact research@surreycc.gov.uk 

A series of shops bordering a cobbled street in Guildford, Surrey

UK Budget 2025 – what will it mean for your Surrey business?

Published 26 November 2025

Business news, Innovation, Skills and workforce

The UK Budget 2025 was announced today by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. But what will it mean for your Surrey business? Here’s a snapshot of some of the key measures.

From changes to business rates to frozen tax thresholds, everyone will be impacted by the announcement in Parliament.

Key measures impacting small and medium businesses include increases to the minimum wage, changes to tax support for entrepreneurs and mandatory e-invoicing. Extra charges for electric vehicles and high value homes could also impact Surrey residents.

The measures means the UK’s tax take moves to an all-time high ofย 38% of national GDP.

The Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts show UK growth averaging 1.5% a year. Inflation is set to ease from 3.5% in 2025 to 2% by 2027. And unemployment is staying near 5% until 2027 with real household incomes stagnating at around 0.25% annual growth.

Explore the full budget on the UK government website.

Business rates

From 1 April 2026, business rates bills in England will be updated to reflect changes in property values since the last revaluation in 2023.

Changes will include:

  • Small business multiplier decreasing from 49.9p in 2025-26 to 43.2p in 2026-27
  • Standard multiplier decreasing from 55.5p to 48p
  • New high-value business rates multiplier at 50.8p in 2026-27. For properties with rateable values of ยฃ500,000 and 2.8p above the national standard multiplier
  • New permanently lower retail, hospitality and leisure multipliers introduced to support high streets. These are 5p lower than the national multipliers.

A package worth ยฃ4.3 billion over the next three years will support businesses as they transition to their new bills.

Full details are on the government’s Budget 2025 tax support for businesses factsheet.

Enterprise

  • Pension contributions – From April 2029, the government will charge employee and employer National Insurance on any pension contributions made via salary sacrifice above ยฃ2,000 a year 
  • Capital gains tax relief halved for bosses selling their businesses to Employee Ownership Trusts from 100% to 50%
  • Charity Tax Relief – a new VAT relief introduced from 1 April 2026. Covers business donations of goods to charity.
  • UK Listing Relief โ€“ From 27 November, transfers of a companyโ€™s securities will not pay 0.5% Stamp Duty Reserve Tax charge for three years from when the company lists on a UK regulated market.
  • Call for Evidence into the tax support for entrepreneurs โ€“ Government seeks views on the effectiveness of the existing tax system for business founders and scaling firms. The aim is to discover how how the UK can better support these companies to start, scale and stay in the country. Closing on 28 February 2026.

Regulation and licensing

  • Extra support for the availability and adoption of business gigabit broadband
  • New Fair Work Agency to take action against illegal working, breaches of employment rights and tax issues
  • Mandating e-invoicing – from April 2029, all VAT invoices to be issued in a specified electronic format.
  • First National Licensing Policy Framework launched to support a modern licensing system. Includes guidance to relevant authorities to consider promoting economic growth in licensing decisions.
  • Funding for new planners and trading standards officers

Skills and workforce

  • National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage increases from April 2026
    • National Living Wage will increase by 4.1% to ยฃ12.71 per hour
    • National Minimum Wage for 18-20 year olds will increase by 8.5% to ยฃ10.85 per hour
    • National Minimum Wage for 16-17 year olds and apprentices will rise by 6.0% to ยฃ8 per hour
    • Accommodation offset will increase by 4.1% to ยฃ11.10 per day
  • Youth guarantee – Growth and Skills Levy
    • ยฃ1.5 billion over the next four years for additional employment and skills support for young people
    • Focus on ensuring young people have access to high-quality training opportunities
    • include measures to simplify the apprenticeship system
  • Youth Guarantee – Jobs Guarantee scheme
    • Government to fund six-month paid work placement for every 18 to 21 year old on Universal Credit and looking for work for 18 months
    • 100% of employment costs for 25 hours a week at the relevant minimum wage funded, plus wraparound support
  • International student levy
    • Higher education providers to be charged ยฃ925 per student per year of study. Introduced from August 2028
    • Income will be reinvested into higher education and skills. This includes funding maintenance grants for disadvantaged students studying priority courses
  • Employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) relief for veterans โ€“ extension of employer NICs relief for employers hiring veterans in their first civilian role to April 2028

UK budget 2025 – other measures

  • Tax thresholds will stay frozen until 2031. That is three years longer than previously planned.
  • New mileage charge for electric and plug-in hybrid cars from April 2028. Electric car drivers will pay 3p per mile, while plug-in hybrid drivers will pay 1.5p per mile. Rates will go up each year in line with inflation.
  • 5p “temporary” cut in fuel duty on petrol and diesel will be extended from April. There will be staged increases from September 2026.
  • High Value Council Tax Surcharge for owners of homes worth ยฃ2 million or more in 2026. It’s due to come in from April 2028. A public consultation will be held in early 2026. 
  • British Business Bank’s new five year strategy to include increasing capital deployment from ยฃ1.5 billion to ยฃ2.5 billion a year
  • Expansion of InnovateUKโ€™s BRIDGE AI programme
  • ISA reform – From 6 April 2027 the annual ISA cash limit will be set at ยฃ12,000. A further ยฃ8,000 can be invested in stocks.
Aerial shot of UK parliament buildings with the River Thames in London at the fore.

Operation Machinize seizes ยฃ60,000 of illegal goods from Surrey businesses

Published 25 November 2025

Advice and support, Business news

Operation Machinize sees Surreyโ€™s Trading Standards team working with partners to seize ยฃ58,075 of illegal goods from high street businesses across the county. Firms are being urged to take extra care to ensure what they sell is safe for their customers.

Operation Machinize sees Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards, Surrey Police, Home Office Immigration, Department of Work and Pensions and tobacco detection dogs working together.

Teams targeted high street businesses suspected of criminal activity across Surrey.

Results include 19,740 illegal cigarettes, 8,100 grams of illegal tobacco and 7,128 illegal vapes being seized. Plus 164 illegal e-liquids and one counterfeit Labubu were taken away.

Kevin Deanus, Surrey County Council’s cabinet member for Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and Resilience said: โ€œOperation Machinize has one simple aim: to help keep our high streets safe. And in the build up to Christmas that is more important than ever.

โ€œI was pleased to join our Trading Standards team recently for the day in Godalming, to see their hard work in action.

โ€œThis operation demonstrates the power of collaboration in tackling organised crime and the results reflect the dedication of our teams and partners in keeping our high streets safe.โ€

Why Operation Machinize matters

Operation Machinize focuses on removing illegal and counterfeit goods from the high street.

Illicit and counterfeit items can be extremely dangerous because they are often made with low-quality materials. They also lack safety testing, and may contain toxic ingredients that pose significant health risks.

Trading Standards teams report that illegal goods are sold year-round.

Profits from counterfeit goods can fund other illegal activities. This includes drug dealing, money laundering and human trafficking.

As part of the operation, community engagement days also took place recently. These raise awareness and encourage reporting of counterfeit goods.

These events were held in partnership with Surrey Police, Crimestoppers and One You Surrey, that included the use of tobacco detection dogs to demonstrate how illegal goods are identified.

What can I do about illegal goods?

Trading Standards in Surrey work with businesses to stay compliant while growing confidently. 

Want to understand more about their role? Well, you can sign up to attend our dedicated trading standards webinar on December 2 at 12pm.

Discover what Trading Standards does and how it supports businesses. Plus we will cover the key areas of legislation you need to know. This includes learning how to avoid common mistakes while getting introduced to the EASY 123 scheme.

Want more bespoke advice? Get in touch with us via our Business Support Form.

Two people in black Trading Standards jackets look at goods in shops as part of Operation Machinize

Net Zero toolkit now available for Surrey businesses

Published 20 November 2025

Advice and support, Business news, Innovation

A net zero toolkit for Surrey businesses is now live. The on-demand guide features expert support to help you create a carbon reduction plan for your business. Sign up today in just a few clicks.

Thereโ€™s never been a better time to start your businesses journey to net zero. But where do you start?

The Business Surrey net zero toolkit will guide you step-by-step through creating and implementing a carbon reduction plan for your business.

Led by Shelley Lawson, founder of Frog Bikes, a series of videos and worksheets will help you apply the learning direct to your organisation.

By the end, youโ€™ll have a bespoke plan which will not only reduce your carbon footprint but also your outgoings. Plus it could help you win more clients and bids.

Access the toolkit today by completing the form on our our net zero toolkit page.

About the Business Surrey net zero toolkit

The four self-learning modules include videos covering a range of topics to help you kickstart the decarbonisation of your business.

Each one also comes with a worksheet so you can apply the learning direct to your own business. These can be downloaded and saved to your device so they can be completed as you go.

By the end, you’ll have a bespoke carbon reduction plan providing a clear and achievable path to reduce costs and open your business up to new opportunities.

  • Video 1: Why is net zero important to my business?
  • Video 2: Carbon Calculator
  • Video 3: Turning your carbon footprint into a plan
  • Video 4: Creating a Carbon Reduction Policy
  • Video 5: Delivering impact

Other Business Surrey toolkits

The net zero toolkit is the latest self-learning resource made available by Business Surrey.

We’ve designed them for businesses of all sizes and sectors to access expert support at a time that suits them.

The videos are engaging while accompanying worksheets allow learning to be applied directly to individual companies.

Other toolkits include

The resources are paid for by UK government via Growth Hub funding to Surrey County Council.

Need more bespoke support? Get in touch via our Business Support Form and we’ll be happy to help!

Two women sat in chairs smile while the are being filmed in a multicamera production.

Surrey Skills Conference 2025

Published 19 November 2025

Business news, Skills and workforce

The Surrey Skills Conference brought together 200 employers, education, academics and government delegates to discuss how skills can power the countyโ€™s future economy. Watch the highlights in our video.

The Surrey Skills Conference was organised by Surrey County Council, in partnership with Surrey Chambers of Commerce.

Taking place at Woking Hilton, the event focused on what more can be done to unlock the talent of Surrey’s workforce.

Robert West, Head of Employment and Skills at theย Confederation of British Industryย was one of two keynote speakers to speak at the event. Robert was joined by Holly Hobbs, a Gen-Z influencer and co-founder ofย urfuture.

Key topics included making the most of the transfer of skills powers locally from government. And addressing challenges, such as driving business growth by equipping people who are out of work with the skills that employers need to thrive.

A range of Surrey employers took part. You can still contribute your ideas to the event, by putting forward ideas to the Local Skills Improvement Plan.

Employment support for Surrey residents

The Surrey Skills Conference 2025 launched STEP Surrey. This is a new gateway for residents to find work, learn new skills and access employment support in a simple and accessible way.

Delegates also learned more about upcoming government-funded programmes available in Surrey.

This includes Connect to Work, a five-year programme to support 2,500 people with complex barriers to work into local employment. And WorkWell, which provides coaching to those with health challenges to get into, return to and stay in work.

Both can support Surrey businesses with workforce challenges and skills gaps.

Want to know more? Get in touch via our Contact Us form.

Keep Britain Working review: why it matters to Surrey businesses

Published 6 November 2025

Skills and workforce, Thought leadership

The Keep Britain Working review is now live. It highlights that over one in five working-age adults in Britain are out of the workforce, primarily due to health problems. But what can businesses do? Our blog looks at the findings and how Surrey employers can help.

Sir Charlie Mayfieldโ€™s Keep Britain Working Review admits that “Britain is facing a quiet but urgent crisis”.

Over the past nine months, the former John Lewis chairman has met with hundreds of employers across the UK. The reason? To discuss the issues surrounding ill-health and disability in the workplace.

Publishedย 5 November 2025, the landmark Keep Britain Working review sets out:

  • One in five working-age adults are now out of the labour force – 800,000 more than in 2019 due to health reasons
  • The cost of ill-health that prevents work equals 7% of GDP – nearly 70% of all income-tax receipts
  • UK employment among disabled people stands at 53%, below comparable nations
  • Employers lose ยฃ85 billion a year from sickness, turnover, and lost productivity

The report sets out a series of recommendations. It’s aimed at ensuring many more people could stay in work, recover faster, and live healthier, more secure lives.

There’s a focus on:

  • Reducing absence and improve retention
  • Supporting disabled and older workers
  • Aligning with national and local health strategies
  • Accessing new funding and incentives

If done right, employers would retain experienced staff and see higher productivity. And government would save billions and be able to focus resources on those who need them most.

But achieving that requires employers, employees and government to each play their part.

Keep Britain Working and Surrey

Surrey is not immune from the issues in the Keep Britain Working review.

Recent figures show that 131,900 Surrey residents of working age are not in employment. This is about 18% of the working population.

The three biggest reasons for not being in work are:

  • education (30%)
  • long-term sick (20.2%)
  • looking after family (19%)

Surrey has its own specific challenges with ill-health and disability in the workplace. This includes:

  • Competitive workforce: Surreyโ€™s average employment rate (80.1%) is higher than regional and national averages. But long-term sickness is hampering workforce supply. And it costs businesses money too. So tackling the issue short-term can save you money in the long-term
  • High-skill economy: With a significant concentration in professional and managerial roles, absence disruptions arguably cost more than in other sectors.
  • Suitable employment opportunities: three in ten Surrey residents receiving long term support for a learning disability are not in work. This is in part due to a lack of opportunities.

The good news is that work is underway to tackle some of these challenges.

The recent Surrey Skills Conference explored some of the ways employers can work with training providers and Surrey County Council.

And Surrey already has health and business stakeholders primed to co-deliver the national plan at local scale. This starts at the top with the One Surrey Growth Board and filters down through various plans and programmes.

What your business can do

  1. Audit your health and absence practices
    • Identify gaps and opportunities for early intervention. Dedicated in-house programmes such as Employment Assistance Programmes can provide excellent support to employees.
  2. Register for fully-funded support programmes
    • Surrey County Council has a range of free support available to strengthen your wellbeing offer. Get in touch via our Business Support form to find out what your business may be eligible for.
  3. Shape local programmes
    • Interested in changing or improving how your business supports employees? Get in touch with us to talk about how you can shape the creation and delivery of employment support programmes
  4. Prepare to leverage incentives
    • The Keep Britain Working review recommends government explores changes to the system to reward best practice. So track developments around tax relief, sick pay rebates, and recruitment grants.
  5. Be the first to join dedicated projects
    • Position your business at the forefront of integrated health-employment innovation. The easiest way to be at the front of the queue is by signing up to our newsletter. You can also enrol directly as an employer supporting Connect to Work.

By engaging with the plan, Surrey businesses can help shape a healthier, more inclusive workforce. This will help your business to succeed while supporting the wider regional economy to grow.

Need further help? Or think your business is well placed to provide opportunities for local people? Get in touch with us via our Contact Us form.

Two women sit together at a computer in an office environment.

Misty Moon Cider: turning food waste into profit

Published 3 November 2025

Funding and grants, Innovation, Surrey Success Stories

Misty Moon Cider is a drinks producer in Farnham that turns surplus fruit into thirst-quenching products. Thanks to the Surrey Economic Growth Fund, the business is investing in new equipment. This will help is scale up, increasing production by six times.

There’s been a bumper crop of apples this season thanks to the hottest summer on record. So a business growth grant from Surrey County Council came at the perfect time for craft drinks producer Misty Moon Cider. 

Kathryn Lockett founded the drinks brand in 2021, making sustainable craft cider from surplus garden and orchard apples in Farnham. She wanted to reduce food waste and make use of the area’s abundant apple stocks by creating an artisan cider. 

Starting out producing 200 bottles in 2024, the investment will help the business scale up to produce up to 12,000 bottles in 2025. And there will be kegs for pubs and bars by 2026.

Kathryn, who is an international development consultant by day, has been able to invest in new pressing and brewing equipment for Misty Moon.

Before receiving the funding, Kathryn and a small team were pressing and bottling all the cider by hand using small-scale equipment. 

โ€œOur new equipment means we donโ€™t have to do everything by hand anymore. It means weโ€™re going to have over 6,000 litres of Misty Moon Cider to sell next year,โ€ Kathryn said. 

The funds have also gone towards hiring more student workers in the area. They have helped to pick and press the apples, in what has been a โ€˜monumental harvestโ€™ this year. 

Misty Moon Cider: rooted in nature

Kathryn said: โ€œThis is something we started about four years ago, motivated by a love of locally produced craft cider.โ€ 

She also wanted to do something to protect the areaโ€™s apple trees. Kathryn explained that Farnham has a long history of apple trees and orchards, but many of these have now disappeared. 

When people have too many apples from their trees that fall, rot and attract pests, these also risk being cut down.

Misty Moon Cider was the perfect solution, allowing people to donate their surplus apples, avoiding food waste and helping to protect the areaโ€™s precious trees. 

โ€œThis year thereโ€™s been a massive crop of apples,โ€ Kathryn said.

As well as donations from peopleโ€™s gardens, Misty Moon partners with community-based organisations too. 

โ€œWe get apple donations from the Countryside Regeneration Trust, National Trust Swan Barn and the Enton Community Orchard, where we also help them care for the orchard in partnership with the charity COPSE. 

โ€œWeโ€™ve just collected 4,500 tonnes of apples in a week that would have just rotted. And we give the apple pomace to the Hairy Pig Company in Guildford, so nothing goes to waste.

โ€œWeโ€™re very much about making delicious cider, supporting the community, protecting trees and preventing food waste.โ€ 

Misty Moon Cider and local businesses

Misty Moon Cider was first sold at the Farnham Sustainable Festival in 2023. Now itโ€™s stocked in Wine Rack, Hogs Back Brewery Shop, the Star Pub in Godalming and the London Cider House in Borough Market.

Misty Moon Cider is also served at the Michelin โ€˜Maison’ Restaurant in Farnham. 

Support from Surrey’s local independent businesses has been crucial to Misty Moon. And local events are a mainstay for the business, with stands at Farnham Food Festival and various events at Gostrey Meadows. 

The grant has made a huge difference to the business. Kathryn said: โ€œIt has given us the professional bottling stock of 2,600 bottles that we have been selling this year which has meant we can sell to more people in more places.  

โ€œItโ€™s paid for our student workforce which has enabled us to bring in this monumental harvest.ย ย 

โ€œAnd crucially, weโ€™ve been able to buy this amazing new equipment, meaning we do not have to hand process everything. It was getting unfeasible doing everything by hand. 

โ€œIt will give us the boost we need to produce enough stock to keep our product costs down, expand into new markets and get our brand known more.โ€ 

Kathryn added: โ€œCider making is one of the oldest UK industries, itโ€™s around 3,000 years old, and we have everything we need for it right here in Surrey – the apples, the tools, the knowledge. 

“However, it is really challenging for small businesses like ours to compete with much larger producers. As such we always encourage people to buy local, support local businesses and support local brewing, whilst enjoying a deliciously tasty Misty Moon Cider.โ€ 

About the Surrey Economic Growth Fund

Do you have a business idea that can drive growth across Surrey?

The Surrey Economic Growth Fund from Surrey County Council has the sole focus of driving economic growth across the region.

Applications are now live for the Business Growth Grant scheme, closing at midnight on 16 November 2025.

It is open to all small and medium size businesses in Surrey.

The award is a match-funded grant of between ยฃ10,000 and ยฃ75,000, covering up to 50% of eligible project costs.

Funding can support: 

  • Purchasing new equipment or technology
  • Developing new products or services
  • Expanding operations or facilities
  • Investing in staff training and upskilling 

We particularly welcome applications from rural businesses, farms, and those contributing to the rural economy.

Questions? Get in touch via our Contact Us form.

Two women smile while holding bottles of Misty Moon Cider, a drink made in Farnham, Surrey.

Two new unitary councils for Surrey as LGR plans confirmed by government

Published 28 October 2025

Business news

Two new unitary councils will be created in Surrey in April 2027 after ministers confirmed Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) plans. The move will create a simpler and more efficient system for delivering services across the county.ย 

Local government minister Alison McGovern announced the decision today via a written ministerial statement. She says this once-in-a-generation reform will see stronger local councils in charge of all local services.

The two new unitary councils – East and West Surrey – will deliver all local services in their area. This includes waste collection, planning, adult social care, childrenโ€™s services, business rates, parks and highways. 

Ministers say the move will drive economic growth, improve local public services and empower communities. Ultimately this will help drive up living standards.

The two new unitary councils will replace the existing two-tier system of twelve county, district and borough councils in April 2027.

By doing this, government says it will create “a strong foundation for devolution in Surrey”. A strategic authority would have responsibility for high-level issues like transport, economic development and skills.

What happens next?

Elections for the new councils will take place in May 2026. With new authorities formally taking over responsibilities from 1 April 2027.

This transition period will enable detailed work for reorganisation and devolution to take place. Services will be delivered as usual during this time. 

East Surrey will replace the current areas covered by Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell, Mole Valley, Reigate & Banstead, and Tandridge councils.

A West Surrey unitary will take over the areas of Guildford, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley, and Woking. 

Surrey County Council will work together with all councils in Surrey to implement this new model. And ensure a smooth transition.

Government will also commit to repayment in-principle of ยฃ500 million of Woking Borough Councilโ€™s debt in 2026-27. And they will continue to explore what further debt support is required at a later point. 

Surrey leader response to two new unitary councils

Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council said: 

โ€œWe welcome the governmentโ€™s direction to create two new unitary councils for Surrey from April 2027 โ€“ East Surrey and West Surrey. Reorganisation and devolution are huge opportunities, and this is good news for Surrey residents and businesses. As set out in submissions earlier this year, and confirmed by government, all the evidence points to this being the best outcome for Surrey โ€“ saving money, simplifying services and strengthening local communities. 

โ€œAs expected, there will be elections to the new unitary councils in May 2026. We also welcome the intention that a Mayoral Strategic Authority will be established, with timings to be confirmed soon following discussions with the Minister. This devolution will unlock huge benefits for Surrey, with more powers held closer to communities, stronger local decision making and turbo charged economic growth for the region. 

โ€œAll councils can now come together to push forward the right structures, and put the right resources in place, to enhance our already vibrant county. We are ready and well prepared for this change. And I am absolutely clear that, throughout this process, our vital work supporting residents will continue. Services will be delivered and we will still be here for those who need us most. Our focus is on ensuring a smooth transition and we will communicate with residents along the way.โ€ 

Surrey business response to two new unitary councils

Chris Hurren, chairman of the Surrey Business Leaders Forum, said: 

“We welcome the certainty provided by the government decision today around how local public services in Surrey will be delivered in the future. We‘re confident our local leaders, working together and with partners, will deliver the best outcome for the county’s 1.2 million residents and 110,000 businesses.

“We have long maintained that LGR in itself is a matter for our local authority leaders. But, on behalf of businesses across Surrey, I want to re-emphasise the importance of a strategic authority for Surrey delivering devolved economic functions on a single county footprint.

“Our belief โ€“ supported by examples of devolution elsewhere, such as Greater Manchester and the West Midlands โ€“ is that moving these powers away from Whitehall will provide clear opportunities for our people, places and economy to grow.”

Further details

To stay informed and follow the latest updates, visit Surrey County Council’s Local Government Reorganisation hub.

Have a question about how this will impact your Surrey business? Get in touch via our Contact Us form.

Map showing East and West Surrey under green text saying "Local government in Surrey is changing"

Skills Bootcamps return to Surrey

Published 28 October 2025

Advice and support, Skills and workforce

Skills Bootcamps return to Surrey for 2025 offering discounted training opportunities for Surrey businesses in key sectors. Upskill your staff or find future talent via this government-funded scheme.

Skills Bootcamps are government-funded courses from Surrey County Council. They allow learners aged 19 and over to gain industry-ready qualifications in super-quick time.

A range of courses are on offer for this year in exciting and growing sectors. This includes construction, cyber security, sustainability and games development.

Training is designed to be as flexible as possible, lasting between two and 16 weeks. The aim is to equip a new cohort of employees with work-ready skills in sectors crucial to Surreyโ€™s future economy.

The role of employers is crucial. You can use the courses to upskill current members of your team. Or you can find new talent with the latest knowledge to help grow your business.

Interested in finding out more? Get in touch via our Contact Us form.

Skills Bootcamps for businesses

Skills Bootcamps can be used by local businesses to upskill current employees at a discounted rate.

Large employers will need to contribute 30% of the cost. Small or medium employers (SMEs) will contribute 10%.

There is no cost to a business recruiting someone who has recently completed a Skills Bootcamp.

Courses are being offered in Surrey this year in:

  • Digital marketing
  • Cyber security
  • Games development
  • AI
  • Sustainability and carbon management
  • Bicycle maintenance
  • Landscaping project supervision
  • Domestic energy and retrofit assessor
  • Groundworks plant operations
  • Air source heat pumps
  • Personal training
  • Green electrical
  • Hospitality

Are you a business wanting more information?ย Get in touch via our Contact Us form.

Filling the construction skills gap with Skills Bootcamps

Skills Bootcamps’ return to Surrey will see new courses on offer.

This includes an introduction to Groundworks Plant Operations. It’s being run by Farnham-based Construction Industry Safety Training Centre (CISTC).

CISTC specialises in providing construction-specific health, safety and plant training that meets the latest industry regulations.

Its expert trainers bring real-world site experience, ensuring every course is engaging, hands-on, and directly relevant to the workplace.

Angela Fowler, CISTC Operations Director, said: 

โ€œThis is for people who are looking to move into the sector or those looking to upskill beyond labouring.

โ€œThere is a big skills gap and a huge Government drive in terms of construction work. There arenโ€™t enough workers in the industry to provide that, so weโ€™re giving people the skills that are needed.

โ€œWe have employment opportunities with our parent company Natta Building Company as well as a number of our clients, so we are hoping it will help our clients tap into potential employees as well.โ€

Skills Bootcamps: case study

Last year, more than 500 people signed up for Skills Bootcamps in Surrey.

Of those who completed courses, more than half said theyโ€™d secured new work or a new position in their company as a result.

MTek Solutions used the Solar PV Skills Bootcamp to upskill their staff as the business branched out into the installation and servicing of solar systems.

Kieran Tuck and Michael Slatcher, MTeK Solutions co-founders, said:ย 

โ€œSkills Bootcamps are a great way to upskill and boost your earnings โ€“ they help add another string to your bow.

โ€œYou have to look beyond today. Investing the time to complete the training has opened doors to much greater opportunities than if we had kept putting things off.โ€

Matt Furniss, Surrey County Councilโ€™s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said: โ€œSkills Bootcamps are a great way for residents to gain new qualifications and boost their future earnings, while ensuring employers have access to the skills they need to thrive.

โ€œAs one of the UKโ€™s largest regional economies, Surreyโ€™s prosperity depends on having a skilled workforce ready to meet the demands of our thriving sectors. By providing pathways to rewarding careers, weโ€™re building a Surrey where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.โ€

Workforce support for Surrey businesses

Are you a Surrey business needing support around workforce and skills? Do you have plans to grow but struggling to find the talent to make it happen?

We’ve have decades of experience supporting employers with challenges. There’s lots of support available, including fully-funded programmes from government.

Get in touch via our Business Support Form and one of our team will respond within five working days.

A man in orange hi-vis sits on a roller in a construction site. Either side are banners for Skills Bootcamps and STEP Surrey.
Two men in orange high vis and hard hats stand in a construction site. Behind them is a yellow plant vehicle.

Aerosensor: from F1 to founding a Surrey business

Published 23 October 2025

Funding and grants, Surrey Success Stories

Aerosensor is a technology firm in Dunsfold Industrial Park led by former F1 engineer Dr Barney Garrood. Thanks to the Surrey Economic Growth Fund, it is creating a new wind-tunnel facility and highly-skilled STEM jobs.ย 

Aerosensor is one of a growing number of Surrey businesses with innovation at its heart.

It is developing new aerodynamic measurement probes for automotive and aerospace applications. And thanks to a five-figure grant from the Surrey Economic Growth Fund, its operation is now expanding.

The grant will support extra staff, infrastructure and the design, build and testing of the probes. โ€‹ย 

Dr Barney Garrood is founder of Aerosensor. He explains that he started the business in 2023 to create probes for cycling – but then started selling devices to F1 too.ย 

โ€œWe have continued doing that and the market has grown to other motorsports and even marine industry,โ€ he said.ย 

He explained that in order to make and develop the probes, the firm needed a wind tunnel to calibrate and test them. 

โ€œWithout our own wind tunnel, we were at the mercy of how booked up other facilities were. I even had to travel to Bristol once to test one probe. So I decided to build our own wind tunnel.”ย 

Aerosensor: a global leader

The new wind tunnel will be transformative for Aerosensor.

Barney explains: โ€œHaving our own wind tunnel means we can halve our turnaround time to develop our existing probes that will make them world leading.

“There are only three other companies in the world that make these things. Having that facility on site is going to massively accelerate our development time and allow us to develop more advanced probes. Itโ€™s moved the business forward by about a year.โ€ย 

He added: โ€œThe grant enabled us to fully kit out the wind tunnel with tools and instruments we need. Weโ€™ll also be hiring new staff and technicians. I have over 20 years of experience in F1 and weโ€™re going to take people on and train them up in a highly skilled job.”ย 

The growth of his business will have an impact on the wider Surrey economy beyond jobs too.

For example, he also uses external suppliers in the county. And he has helped to enhance Dunsfold Industrial Parkโ€™s legacy as an aerodynamic centre.ย 

He adds: โ€œDunsfold Park has a history of aerodynamic development. The Harrier Jump Jet was developed here. And thereโ€™s a lot of racing car heritage here, and with fantastic high-tech motorsport such as McLaren in the area, it is the ideal place.โ€

About the Surrey Economic Growth Fund

Do you have a business idea that can drive growth across Surrey?

The Surrey Economic Growth Fund is overseen by Surrey County Council with the sole focus of driving economic growth across the region.

Applications are now live for the Business Growth Grant scheme, closing at midnight on 16 November 2025.

It is open to all small and medium size businesses in Surrey.

The award is a match-funded grant of between ยฃ10,000 and ยฃ75,000, covering up to 50% of eligible project costs.

Funding can support: 

  • Purchasing new equipment or technology
  • Developing new products or services
  • Expanding operations or facilities
  • Investing in staff training and upskillingย 

We particularly welcome applications from rural businesses, farms, and those contributing to the rural economy.

Questions? Get in touch via our Contact Us form.

A man in a black jumper stands next to a blue wind tunnel with aerosensor on the side in white lettering