Category: Innovation

South East manufacturers get £3.1m digital transformation boost through Made Smarter

Published 30 March 2026

Advice and support, Funding and grants, Innovation

Hundreds of manufacturers across the South East are set for a major digital upgrade after the Government confirmed fresh funding for the Made Smarter programme from April.

The £3.1 million investment will give SME manufacturers across the region access to expert technology advice, leadership training, digital skills development and match-funded grants to help boost productivity, drive innovation, create high-value jobs and cut carbon.

Made Smarter South East is a government-backed, industry-led programme delivered by Surrey County Council in partnership with 11 local authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships across the South East region.

Made Smarter’s impact in the South East

Since launching in April 2025, the programme has supported 273 manufacturers, participated in 137 diagnostic workshops, developed 93 digital roadmaps, delivered 41 leadership and digital champions training interventions, placed 6 digital interns, and approved grants for 20 technology projects.

Over the last year, manufacturers have secured over £307,000 in matched funding to enable over £1 million of investment in technologies ranging from ERP systems and 3D printing to robotics and automation.

Bryan Vint, Programme Manager for Made Smarter South East, said: “This new wave of funding is a huge boost for manufacturers across the South East. In our first year we have already shown what the region can achieve when SMEs have access to the right advice, skills and technology.

“The continuation of the programme gives businesses the confidence to plan ahead, invest in digital tools and build the skills they need to grow. We are excited to help hundreds more manufacturers unlock productivity, resilience and long-term growth.”

The support available with Made Smarter

Made Smarter is designed to give manufacturers a fast and practical route into digital transformation. Businesses begin with an expert digital assessment to identify their technology and skills priorities, followed by a tailored roadmap to guide future investment.

Leadership development programmes, workforce training and digital internships help companies build the capabilities needed to adopt new technologies and embed change across their organisations.

To support technology adoption, businesses can also access match funding of up to 50 percent, with grants of up to £20,000 available for capital technology projects.

How one Surrey business has benefitted from the programme

Cambertronics, based in Cranleigh, Surrey, is a contract electronics manufacturer providing design, prototyping and full turnkey production for sectors including automotive, marine, agritech and industrial electronics. Through Made Smarter South East, the business completed a Digital Transformation Workshop and joined the Leadership and Digital Champion programmes to help shape its digital strategy and build internal capability for change.

Jasper Whitefield, Business Development Manager, Cambertronics, Cranleigh, Surrey, said: “We’ve invested heavily in advanced manufacturing equipment over the years, but many of our systems still rely on manual processes. We wanted to explore how digital technology could help improve traceability, streamline processes and give us better visibility across the business.

“The Digital Transformation Workshop helped us identify clear priorities, including automated barcoding, ERP integration and strengthening leadership capability across the team. Taking part in the leadership and Digital Champion programmes is helping us build the confidence, skills and internal ownership needed to drive that change. It means we can modernise our operations, respond faster to customers and continue delivering the quality and expertise they expect as the business grows.”

To learn more, and start your journey to digitisation with free support from Made Smarter, visit the Made Smarter website.

Funding support for your Surrey business

Looking to raise funding or investment into your Surrey business? Our team of experts are on hand to provide fully-funded advice to all Surrey businesses.

Get in touch via our Business Support Form to see how your business could access finance to help you grow.

Picture credit: Cambertronics

High Streets Support programme gathers pace – with online events now available

Published 16 March 2026

Advice and support, Business news, Innovation

The High Streets Support and Innovation programme continues to be delivered across Surrey this spring. Nearly 140 businesses have registered so far – and online events are now available.

The Surrey High Street Growth and Innovation Programme is open to a wide range of businesses. This includes independent retailers, start-ups, market traders, charities and social enterprises.

It helps high street businesses in winning new customers, boosting sales and creating growth as part of wider efforts to strengthen and futureproof centres of the community.

It’s funded by Surrey County Council’s Economic Growth Fund and delivered by specialists Smarter Society and The Retail Group. It includes free practical workshops, online resources and one-on-one tailored support.

There is also a focus on 22 high streets in all 11 of the county’s district and borough areas, with detailed workshops developed to help retailers attract more customers, boost footfall, improve visibility and increase customer spend.

Business can register for the support directly via the Surrey High Street Growth and Innovation Programme enrolment form.

What is the High Streets Support scheme?

The High Streets Support scheme is developed in collaboration with economic development teams from district and councils. Representatives from Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) across Surrey have also been involved.

It launched last month with workshops running through February, March and April in key locations.

The Smarter Society outreach team is already pounding the pavements of Surrey’s high streets, meeting hundreds of business owners face-to-face and signing retailers up for workshops.

In the first few weeks, nearly 140 businesses have registered and 75 received support across five areas.

Four free workshops will take place in each district and borough. This will cover practical topics such as increasing footfall, improving online and in-store visibility, getting more from social media and promotions, and planning for growth.

Matt Furniss, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said: “High streets are the lifeblood of our communities. They’re integral to the character and vitality of our towns and villages, which is why we’re committed to supporting them alongside our district and borough partners and Business Improvement Districts.

“This programme is a real investment in the people behind Surrey’s independent businesses, giving them the tools and knowledge to thrive – which is good for our economy, our residents and our communities.”

Geoff Baxter, Managing Director of Smarter Society, said: “The Surrey High Street Growth & Innovation Programme is gaining real momentum. Businesses across the county are engaging enthusiastically with our on‑street support and workshops, and we’re proud to see such strong early signs of growth and innovation on Surrey’s high streets.”

High Streets support – online events

Are you a high street business struggling to attend in person? We’ve just released a series of online sessions to allow you to pick up tips and advice virtually.

Recordings will be available on demand afterwards.

How do I sign up?

The programme is free and open to any business trading on a Surrey high street. To find out more, visit the Business Surrey High Streets page.

Or register direct via the Surrey High Street Growth and Innovation Programme enrolment form.

Three people stand posing in a busy high street next to a promotional banner for Surrey County Council's Business Surrey service.
A high street florist smiles as she stands next to a colourful display of flowers in her shop

Fundraising data for 2025 sees £1 billion boost to Surrey economy

Published 9 March 2026

Business news, Funding and grants, Innovation

Fundraising data for 2025 highlights a £1 billion boost to Surrey’s economy in the last year. The top 20 businesses alone brought in millions of pounds and created dozens of new roles, helping cement Surrey as one of the UK’s regional economies.

Data supplied by private company data platform Beauhurst and its partners Mercia Ventures shows there were 111 fundraisings from registered businesses with trading offices in Surrey in 2025. In total more than £1 billion is estimated to have been raised.

This is nearly half the total amount raised across the whole of the south east (£2.25 billion). Plus one in six deals in the last year across the south east took place in Surrey (111 out of 667).

The largest was McLaren, the Woking-based automotive company, which is estimated to have raised £811 million in December 2025.

The figures are highlighted in a report called The Deal 2026, compiled by Beauhurst Insights and Mercia Ventures.

It examines all equity investments received by UK-headquartered companies across all industries.

Key findings from The Deal include:

  • Amount raised into UK companies in 2025 has increased by 3.34% from last year
  • Number of first-time deals in 2025 has increased by 23.6% year on year
  • Amount raised has also reached a record high since 2020, up 74.3% to £6.27b
  • Total number of deals has continued to ease, down 7.87% from 2024

Fundraising in 2025 – top 20 Surrey businesses

  1. McLaren (automotive) – £811 million
  2. Gordon Murray Design (automotive) – £88.9 million
  3. AFC Energy (renewables) – £23 million
  4. Nature Metrics (environmental) – £20.3 million
  5. CelLBxHealth (biotechnology) – £6.8 million
  6. Futura Medical (biotechnology) – £2.75 million
  7. Evolve Dynamics (aerospace) – £2.73 million
  8. The HOPP (sports and leisure) – £2.45 million
  9. Orthofuse (manufacturing) – £2.2 million
  10. Fiinu (financial) – £3.25 million
  11. Bruce’s (pets) – £1.75 million
  12. Hofmeister (beverages) – £1.74 million
  13. Money Guided (financial services) – £1.55 million
  14. Assisted Living Project (property) – £1.54 million
  15. Mater-AI (clean energy) – £1.5 million
  16. Bots For That (accounting) – £1.5 million
  17. BetterPoints (technology) – £1.34 million
  18. Limetrack (technology) – £1.32 million
  19. Cignpost (medical) – £1. 26 million
  20. SchoolsMobile.com (technology) – £1.09 million

Fundraising data 2025 and The Deal

The fundraising date for 2025 is presented in a report titled The Deal 2026.

Will Clark, Managing Director for Mercia Ventures, writes: “This year’s data suggests that the UK equity market is not retreating so much as refining its focus, and that founders remain firmly at the centre of that recalibration.”

He adds: “While the overall number of deals eased again in 2025, the amount of capital being deployed did not. Total equity investment rose modestly year on year, and average deal sizes continued to increase, passing £4m for the first time since 2021.”

Funding support for your Surrey business

Looking to raise funding or investment into your Surrey business? Our team of experts are on hand to provide fully-funded advice to all Surrey businesses.

Get in touch via our Business Support Form to see how your business could access finance to help you grow.

Aerial image of Surrey UK

Surrey Venture Studio underway turning innovative ideas into businesses

Published 12 February 2026

Advice and support, Funding and grants, Innovation

Surrey Venture Studio is underway turning innovative ideas into businesses. The scheme is funded by Surrey’s Economic Growth Fund giving innovators and entrepreneurs the chance to pitch their bright ideas to a Dragon’s Den style panel to win a £25,000 cash boost.

Surrey Venture Studio has been developed by the county’s three universities – Royal Holloway University of London, University for the Creative Arts and University of Surrey – to boost innovation, launch successful businesses and create jobs.

Funded by Surrey County Council’s Economic Growth Fund, it brings together entrepreneurs, academics and students for intensive two-day workshops before they present their ideas to an expert panel.

Successful participants secure places on a six-month accelerator programme with the possibility of receiving up to £25,000 in catalyst grant funding to launch their businesses.

The first event was held this month at the University of Surrey’s Surrey Technology Centre in Guildford. 13 budding entrepreneurs worked through their ideas in specialist sessions.

Further fully-booked workshops are scheduled this month. They’ll take place at Royal Holloway University of London, University for Creative Arts’ Epsom campus, and Surrey County Council’s headquarters in Reigate.

It is one of dozens of innovative projects funded by the council’s Economic Growth Fund. This has seen millions of pounds of government and private funding invested to drive growth, create jobs, improve infrastructure, increase productivity and upskill Surrey’s workforce.

Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said: “In less than a year, the Economic Growth Fund has seen millions of pounds of funding invested in creating jobs and boosting growth across Surrey.

“Surrey Venture Studio is just one of dozens of projects which secured funding from the competitive process – and I’m looking forward to seeing some of these bright ideas develop and grow into fully-formed businesses in the months and years to come.”

How does Surrey Venture Studio work?

Surrey Venture Studio is designed to support those with ideas, prototypes or early-stage research that haven’t yet reached their full revenue-generating potential.

The programme provides expert mentoring and structured support to help innovators determine whether turning their idea into a business is the right path forward.

Successful accelerator participants will commit approximately two days per month over the six-month programme. They’ll also receive ongoing mentorship and support as they develop their business propositions.

Chris Pett, Digital Innovation Sector Lead at SETsquared, who led the first sessions, says: “The idea is that we’re building people up to the point where they feel more confident and capable to get out of the building and discover potential market opportunities based on the spark of an idea they’re thinking about right now.

“For a lot of them, this could result in a major change in their career from academic research into becoming an entrepreneur and potentially building a business.”

Speaking at the first workshop, Caroline Fleming, Director of the Surrey Innovation District at the University of Surrey, said: “We are delighted to launch this Surrey Venture Studio programme. We’ve got a brilliant collection of really bright minds – students, entrepreneurs and academics from the University of Surrey and the wider community – and we’ve been giving them some tips on how to think about what they need to do to develop their business.

“They’ve been really engaged, coming up with some fantastic questions and feedback. Hopefully they get really good value out of our workshop.”

A second round of applications is expected to open in spring 2026.

For further information visit the Surrey Ventures Studio page on the Business Surrey website.

You can also follow the project at the Surrey Venture Studio LinkedIn page.

A group of people - some sitting and some standing - pose for a picture in front of promotional banners for Surrey Venture Studios and Business Surrey.

Source in Surrey to forge closer connections to boost county economy

Published 29 January 2026

Advice and support, Business news, Events and awards, Innovation

Source in Surrey is an innovative initiative to help Surrey businesses benefit more from spending in the region’s £50 billion economy. It’s been developed by Surrey Chambers of Commerce after it secured a grant from Surrey County Council’s Economic Growth Fund.

The six-figure initiative is designed to strengthen the regional economy by connecting small and medium-sized businesses with larger organisations for major contract opportunities.

It kicks off next month, with the first of 10 roadshow events taking place in Woking on February 11.

The programme will also include sales masterclasses. Plus there’s the creation of an AI-powered platform, streamlining connections between buyers and suppliers.

Source in Surrey and the Economic Growth Fund

Source in Surrey is one of several projects funded via the council’s Economic Growth Fund. This pools public and private funds, including government Shared Prosperity Funding, into a single pot.

Since launching in April, more than £3 million has been invested via the council in local businesses and organisations to support business growth, innovation and employment opportunities.

Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said: “Source in Surrey will tackle a real challenge – helping our smaller businesses access the kind of major contracts that can transform their growth trajectory.

“By connecting SMEs with larger organisations and equipping them with the skills to compete, we’re not just creating jobs and boosting our economy, we’re building a more resilient and collaborative business community across the county.

“We’re pleased to have been able to support the initiative via the Economic Growth Fund and I look forward to seeing our people, places and businesses benefit from closer connections in the future.”

About Source in Surrey

Source in Surrey will look to bridge the gap by focusing on four key areas:

  • enhancing selling capabilities
  • improving procurement access
  • building customer databases
  • forging closer connections, starting with a county-wide roadshow programme.

Each roadshow session includes a keynote session from a business leader. Attendees will also be introduced to the AI platform for businesses to find and procure suitable contracts.

The roadshows, which are free to attend, take place at:

  • Dukes Court, Woking (February 11)
  • Tandridge Golf Course, Oxted (February 24)
  • Hartsfield Manor, Betchworth (February 26)
  • Login Lounge, Camberly (March 3)
  • The Thames Club, Staines (March 11)
  • Farnham Maltings (March 17)
  • Reigate Manor, Reigate (March 24)
  • Guildford Pavilion (April 14)
  • Epsom Racecourse (April 23)
  • Brooklands Museum (April 28)

The initiative also includes expert-led sales training courses delivered by Anita Saini of HX Solutions. These start on 10 February at Login Lounge, Camberley, and 10 March at Dukes Court, Woking.

These practical courses aim to equip smaller businesses with the confidence and skills to compete for and win significant contracts.

Louise Punter of Surrey Chambers said: “The Surrey economy is large but much of the spend of the larger organisations is made outside of Surrey. So we want to encourage larger businesses and organisations to ‘buy local’ and make it easier for smaller businesses to win contracts.

“By bringing these different parts of the business eco-system together we will also facilitate other ways of supporting the smaller businesses through training opportunities and economies of scale.”

Businesses can find out more on the events page of the Surrey Chambers website . Or email the team at sourceinsurrey@surrey-chambers.co.uk.

Need additional help and support? Get in touch with our team of experts via the Business Surrey business support form.

Three people stand smiling in front of promotional banners for Source in Surrey and Business Surrey

Economic Growth Fund round two recipients announced

Published 15 January 2026

Business news, Funding and grants, Innovation

Greentech innovators and gourmet food producers are among businesses benefiting from a further £1 million investment from Surrey Economic Growth Fund round two.

Nearly 30 companies and entrepreneurs are receiving individual grants of up to £75,000 in the latest round of funding.

The investment, which is largely made up of UK Shared Prosperity Funding from government, will unlock millions of pounds of match funding while creating dozens of local jobs.

Among the recipients are Mantisonix, a University of Surrey spinout in Guildford, which has developed ultrasonic technology to sustainably destroy “forever chemicals”. The new facility will reinforce Surrey’s position as a leader in environmental innovation.

MS Venison will create a new butchery facility in Oxted while family-run catering business Afromufasa will purchase a new food truck, creating up to eight jobs in Weybridge.

Godalming-based DIY Her Way will look to provide online training for 100 women to become electricians, helping addresses Surrey’s shortage of skilled tradespeople.  

Councillor Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said: “This investment represents another significant step in strengthening and growing Surrey’s economy.

“The quality and breadth of the bids within the hundreds of applications that we received is testament to the vibrancy of the business community across the county.

“I’m delighted we have been able to support close to 30 companies with their innovative ideas to grow and look forward to seeing them delivering benefits to our people and places over the months to come.”

What is the Surrey Economic Growth Fund?

Surrey County Council launched the Economic Growth Fund in April with a focus on supporting ideas to accelerate growth, boost innovation and create new employment opportunities.

About £2 million was distributed when the first round of grants was announced in September.

With a further £1 million awarded in round two, the total invested locally this year now stands at more than £3 million.

The Economic Growth Fund is one of several ways the council supports businesses and a growing Surrey economy.

To register for fully-funded support to start and grow a business get in touch via our Business Support Form.

Growth Fund case study: Streetwise Technology

Among those to benefit from the Surrey Economic Growth Fund are Rhevia in Reigate. The firm used to be called Streetwise Technology. It uses hardware and AI to make highways safer for pedestrians while improving vehicle flow.

Dorian Isaacson, of Rhevia, said: “Being selected for funding by Surrey County Council was a huge vote of confidence for us at a critical stage of our growth.

“The grant has been genuinely transformational, it enabled us to recruit two new team members and significantly advance our technology, making our product more sophisticated and commercially viable.

“That progress has directly helped us win new customers and accelerate our growth. As we scale, we expect this to translate into high-value jobs, continued innovation, and a growing contribution to the Surrey economy.”

A man in a blue suit and white shirt smiles while posing for an image in front of a Business Surrey promotional banner.

Economic Growth Fund round two – full list of recipients

The businesses to win funding in round two of the Surrey Economic Growth Fund are:

  • Afromufasa
  • Aqua Broadcast Limited
  • Batts Hill Distillers
  • BecDan Limited
  • Carpet Ease Limited
  • Carry on Coffee
  • Charlie and Ginger LTD
  • DigiKind Ltd (Kathy Kyle)
  • Fit with Frank
  • Hurtwood Events CIC
  • Kampyro Ltd t/a Emovement
  • Lesh
  • MS Venison Ltd
  • Mantisonix
  • More Meals Ltd
  • Morpheus Fluid Ltd
  • Old School Longcross Ltd (t/a Old School Windscreens)
  • Parcours Velo Ltd
  • Porky Whites Ltd
  • Rawlings Opticians
  • Rhizo PTX
  • Shetland Pony Club (registered as Shetland Pony Centre LLP)
  • Silvermere Gymnastics
  • Star Player Ltd
  • Surrey Signs & Display Limited
  • Systems & Networks Training
  • The Nourishment Academy (t/a Strength & Bloom LTD)
  • West Fisher Winery
Three people sit at a table discussing a business proposal. Behind them is a Business Surrey promotional banner.

Surrey Venture Studio launches to turn bright ideas into businesses

Published 8 December 2025

Advice and support, Business news, Innovation

Surrey Venture Studio logo

Surrey Venture Studio is an exciting scheme to help Surrey innovators, academics, students and entrepreneurs ignite their ideas to build a business. So if you have an idea ripe for commercialisation and are ready to start your business journey, seize this exciting opportunity! 

Do you have a business idea you believe could be transformational and marketable, but you’re unsure how to take the first step or secure funding?

Perhaps you already have designs, prototypes or research that hasn’t yet reached its full revenue generating potential.

If so, then Surrey Venture Studio is here to help you bridge that gap and fulfil your ambitions.

Round two is now open.

You can also sign up for the Surrey Venture Studio newsletter to be kept informed of further rounds.

What is Surrey Venture Studio?

This is an exciting new pre-accelerator programme to help innovators, academics and entrepreneurs across Surrey explore whether turning an idea into a business is the right path. 

This exciting programme includes: 

  • A two-day, in-person ideation workshop
  • Expert mentoring
  • Opportunity to progress to a six-month accelerator
  • Up to £25,000 catalyst grant funding, for successful six-month accelerator participant 

Spaces on the workshop are limited and will be offered to applicants whose ideas are at the right stage of development and show strong potential for innovation and commercialisation. 

At the end of the two-day workshop, participants will be invited to pitch their ideas ‘Dragon’s Den’-style. The successful applicants will secure a coveted place on the six-month accelerator programme and take a step closer to securing £25k in grant funding to launch their business!

Key Dates

Round one of Surrey Venture Studio opened in December 2025 with workshops running in February and March 2026.

Round two is now up and running, with key dates listed below.

  • Round two applications open – 16 March, 2026
  • Round two applications close – 8 May, 2026
  • Ideation Workshops
    • University of Surrey – 4 and 8 June, 2026
    • Open Call Ideation Workshop at Surrey County Council – 18 and 22 June, 2026
    • Royal Holloway, University of London Ideation – 25 and 29 June, 2026
    • University for Creative Arts Ideation Workshop – 2 and 6 July, 2026

FAQs

Got a question about Surrey Venture Studio? Find answers in our FAQs below.

Innovators, academics, students and entrepreneurs based in Surrey with ideas that have strong commercial potential. 

No. You can apply with an idea, prototype or early-stage research that could become a marketable product or service.

The workshops will be held at the campus of the host university and Surrey County Council’s HQ in Reigate. University for Creative Arts will host at their Epsom site. 

Participants will pitch their ideas to a panel. Successful applicants will join the six-month accelerator programme. 

No, there is not an option to attend online. If you have any accessibility issues that prevent you from attending in person, please contact the Surrey Venture Studio project team to ensure your needs are met. 

You must commit to the two-day workshop and, if successful, the full six-month accelerator programme at around 2 days per month. 

Spaces are limited and offered to those whose ideas show strong potential for innovation and commercialisation.  

No, you do not need one to apply. But you’ll be willing to open one before any grant funding can be paid. 

No, all applications received before the closing date will be judged equally.

The Fine Print

Surrey Venture Studio is funded by UK Government and Surrey County Council via the Surrey Economic Growth Fund. It is delivered in partnership with the University of Surrey, University for the Creative Arts and Royal Holloway, University of London. 

  • Eligibility: Applicants live, work or study in Surrey and be eligible to work in they UK. Applicants should also comply with UK Subsidy Control
  • Commitment: Applicants agree to attend the two-day workshop and, if successful, commit to the six-month accelerator at approximately two days per month
  • Selection: Participation in the workshop does not guarantee progression to the accelerator
  • Funding: Grant funding is subject to acceptance onto the 6-month accelerator and must be paid into a business bank account
  • Data Sharing: Applicant data may be shared with programme partners for delivery and monitoring purposes
  • Intellectual Property: IP remains with the applicant; Surrey Venture Studio does not claim ownership 
  • Withdrawal: Surrey Venture Studio reserves the right to withdraw or amend the programme at any time

Not all applicants or workshop participants will progress. But those applying will need to commit to the full six month accelerator. This is irrespective of whether they are successful.

Apply directly via the Surrey Venture Studio application form.

A woman in a white lab coat and wearing blue gloves looks into a microscope. She is working in a laboratory.

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 of 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 £500,000 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 £4.3 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 £2,000 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 – From 27 November, transfers of a company’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 – 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 £12.71 per hour
    • National Minimum Wage for 18-20 year olds will increase by 8.5% to £10.85 per hour
    • National Minimum Wage for 16-17 year olds and apprentices will rise by 6.0% to £8 per hour
    • Accommodation offset will increase by 4.1% to £11.10 per day
  • Youth guarantee – Growth and Skills Levy
    • £1.5 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 £925 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 – 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 £2 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 £1.5 billion to £2.5 billion a year
  • Expansion of InnovateUK’s BRIDGE AI programme
  • ISA reform – From 6 April 2027 the annual ISA cash limit will be set at £12,000. A further £8,000 can be invested in stocks.
Aerial shot of UK parliament buildings with the River Thames in London at the fore.

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.

There’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, you’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.

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. 

“Our new equipment means we don’t have to do everything by hand anymore. It means we’re going to have over 6,000 litres of Misty Moon Cider to sell next year,” 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 ‘monumental harvest’ this year. 

Misty Moon Cider: rooted in nature

Kathryn said: “This is something we started about four years ago, motivated by a love of locally produced craft cider.” 

She also wanted to do something to protect the area’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 area’s precious trees. 

“This year there’s been a massive crop of apples,” Kathryn said.

As well as donations from people’s gardens, Misty Moon partners with community-based organisations too. 

“We 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. 

“We’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.

“We’re very much about making delicious cider, supporting the community, protecting trees and preventing food waste.” 

Misty Moon Cider and local businesses

Misty Moon Cider was first sold at the Farnham Sustainable Festival in 2023. Now it’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 ‘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: “It 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.  

“It’s paid for our student workforce which has enabled us to bring in this monumental harvest.  

“And crucially, we’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. 

“It 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.” 

Kathryn added: “Cider making is one of the oldest UK industries, it’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.” 

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 £10,000 and £75,000, 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.