This consultation seeks views on implementing more timely payment in Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA), following the government’s announcement at Budget 2025 on changes to the timing of payments in ITSA from April 2029. The consultation firstly considers how announced reforms for ITSA taxpayers with Pay as You Earn (PAYE) income might be implemented and secondly explores the potential for more timely payment for other ITSA taxpayers.

Who should read this

The government particularly welcomes responses from ITSA taxpayers affected by the changes (for example, the self-employed), employers and from representative groups and tax specialists.

Duration

The consultation will run for 6 weeks from 23 June 2026 to 4 August 2026.

Redditch Canine Hydrotherapy transformed a derelict farm building into a successful canine hydrotherapy centre with support from our previous rural fund.

We’re now building on that success with the Wychavon Growth Fund, offering £500 to £15,000 to help local businesses grow, diversify and create new income streams.

Open to SMEs, CICs, social enterprises and not‑for‑profits across a wide range of sectors.

We are looking to support farms planning to diversify, for more info:

📩 growth@wychavon.gov.uk

👉 Apply now: www.wychavon.gov.uk/growth

Apprenticeships are vital to businesses because they provide a practical route to develop skilled, motivated employees while helping employers address skills gaps, improve productivity and build a sustainable workforce for the future.

At Wychavon we recognise that the cost of taking on an apprentice can be a barrier for businesses, therefore we have launched the Wychavon Apprenticeship Employer Grant Programme through which you could access a grant of £1,500.

In the last newsletter we told you about government incentive schemes to help with the cost of taking on an apprentice; the Wychavon grant can be accessed in addition to those schemes.

To learn more about the grant get in touch with the Worcestershire Growth Hub team today!

Multi-award-winning stand-up comedian, broadcaster, and television presenter, Matt Richardson has been confirmed as the host of this year’s Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards (WA Awards).

Taking place on Thursday 26 November 2026 at West Midlands Safari Park, the WA Awards celebrate the outstanding apprentices, employers and supporters who are helping to drive apprenticeship success across Worcestershire.

Established through a partnership between Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and Worcestershire County Council, the grant-funded Worcestershire Apprenticeships programme helps to address the skills and employment needs of the local workforce by supporting apprenticeship growth across the county.

The evening will culminate in the announcement of the two prestigious overall winners for ‘Worcestershire Apprentice of the Year’ and ‘Worcestershire Apprenticeship Employer of the Year’. Celebrating the very best in local talent and skills development in Worcestershire.

Employment lifeline for young people across the country as Government offers 300,000 new work experience and training placements.

Young people across the country will be helped onto the career ladder thanks to the creation of 300,000 new work experience and training placements in sectors including construction, health and social care and hospitality.

The new placements, part of a £2.5 billion youth employment support package, will see young people gain hands-on experience, build real skills and move into sustained work.

They come as the Government accelerates its Youth Guarantee to give every young person the chance to earn or learn and reverse the rising numbers not in education, employment, or training (NEET) - currently standing at just over/under one million.

Work experience is widely recognised as a key way to help young people gain the skills and confidence to succeed, and Alan Milburn’s interim report published yesterday (28 May) warned that the first rung of the career ladder has thinned.

Building Your Future Workforce

Investing in young people is investing in your business's future. That’s why the government is expanding the support available to businesses, investing an additional £2.5 billion in The Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy. Discover a range of funded programmes and initiatives to help employers benefit from meaningful opportunities for young people aged 16 to 24.

Hospitality businesses in Malvern and Wychavon are set to benefit from a training incentive scheme.

SkillsBoost Hospitality, launching in July 2026, looks to support hospitality businesses in the two districts to benefit from reduced training costs thanks to grant funding.

The scheme, which builds off the success of ‘SkillsBoost’, which was delivered previously, is based on supporting organisations by reducing the cost of employee training.

The new iteration of the programme is focused on supporting hospitality organisations within the Malvern Hills & Wychavon district areas and aims to support businesses to upskill their workforce to help overcome challenges.

Malvern & Wychavon hospitality businesses will be able to claim back 50% of the training costs, up to £3,000 per organisation and up to £1,500 per employee.

SkillsBoost hospitality is funded via Malvern Hills District Council and Wychavon District Council, delivered by Worcestershire Growth Hub in partnership with Worcestershire County Council.

To find out more about SkillsBoost Hospitality, contact the Worcestershire Growth Hub team on the details below. 

Call – 01905 677888 

Email – info@worcestershiregrowthhub.co.uk

Following the Business Rates Revaluation and changes to various reliefs available from 1st April 2026 Wychavon’s Business Rates team are keen to support our ratepayers to ensure they are getting all the help and support they may be entitled to.

If you are struggling to pay your Business Rates, please don't ignore the problem. Contact our Business Rates team as soon as possible to discuss your circumstances. We may be able to offer support, advice, or help you explore the options available to reduce your bill or pay it over an extended period.

Call 03004 560560 or email wychavonbrates@southworcestershirerevenues.gov.uk to speak with a member of the team. You can also book an appointment for a telephone consultation by visiting https://www.wychavon.gov.uk/business/business-rates/contact-business-rates

Worcestershire County Council's new Advance Worcestershire Pathway Programme is fully underway, providing ambitious SMEs with the support they need to innovate and prepare for the future.

Designed to drive sustainable business growth, Advance Worcestershire offers tailored support across three key pathways: Innovation, Investment Readiness, and Manufacturing. The programme helps businesses improve productivity and operational efficiency, develop new products, processes or services, strengthen their ability to attract investment, and create higher-value jobs.

Businesses accepted onto the programme will begin with a minimum of six hours of one-to-one support from a specialist adviser. This initial phase focuses on reviewing business performance, identifying opportunities and challenges, and developing a bespoke action plan to support future growth.

Delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice on behalf of Worcestershire County Council, the programme is fully funded and provides practical, expert-led support tailored to your business needs.

There is still time to apply for support through Worcestershire County Council’s Elevate Growth programme, but you will need to act quickly to secure one of the few spaces remaining for 2026!

Designed for ambitious business leaders, Elevate combines tailored one-to-one consultancy with collaborative peer-to-peer learning, helping businesses develop the strategies, skills and confidence needed to achieve impactful business growth.

Through facilitated peer group sessions, business owners come together to explore shared challenges, exchange experiences and gain fresh perspectives from fellow leaders. Alongside this, dedicated 1:1 consultancy support provides the opportunity to take a deep dive into your business, refine your vision, and develop practical plans to drive future success.

Funded by Worcestershire County Council and delivered by Rockfine Group, the programme offers expert, bespoke guidance designed to help businesses overcome barriers, seize new opportunities, and accelerate growth.

The next cohort is scheduled to begin in September 2026.

Walk Wheel Cycle Trust is inviting businesses across Droitwich, Evesham and Pershore to take part in the Wychavon Big Bike Breakfast.

Participating businesses simply need to provide a suitable space for the breakfast. 

Walk Wheel Cycle Trust will fund and support the event, including:

•Free breakfast for staff who cycle to work 

•Personalised route planning 

•Guided group rides from local neighbourhoods 

•Optional Dr Bike sessions for bicycle safety checks and minor repairs 

•Support accessing affordable bicycles through Westlands Repair Hub or Evesham Adventure Playground.

Benefits for employers include:

•Supporting staff wellbeing 

•Encouraging sustainable travel 

•Reducing parking pressures and much more!