Budget, tax, grants and local initiatives: what they mean for your business.
Welcome to the first Briefing
Running a business in Havering means keeping up with a lot at once: a new Budget, the biggest shake-up of employment law in a generation, Making Tax Digital, and big decisions about Romford town centre and the borough’s future.
The Havering Business Briefing is the Chamber’s answer: plain-English insight from the Chamber Business Desk on what has changed, what it means for a Havering business, and what to do about it. Every article ends with a short What to do now list.
This first issue covers twelve topics, from rates relief and hiring grants to AI and getting paid on time. Future issues will feature members, sponsors and specialist advisers sharing their expertise. If you’d like to write for us, email enquiries@haveringchamber.co.uk.
In this issue
- The Budget, decoded for Havering
- Employment Rights Act: your 1 January deadline
- Business rates: are you paying more than you should?
- Hiring under-25s: up to £5,000 on the table
- Making Tax Digital, e-invoicing and your new tax calendar
- Havering’s next 15 years: the Liberty, the Local Plan and the data centre
- Getting around Havering: roads, buses and Beam Park
- The council’s money, and what it means for local suppliers
- AI for Havering’s small businesses: a practical starting point
- Grants and funding Havering businesses can apply for now
- Getting paid: the late-payment law is coming, so get ready now
- Starting up in Havering: a founder’s checklist for 2027
Employment Rights Act: your 1 January deadline
From 1 January 2027 a new starter can claim unfair dismissal after six months, not two years. If you employ anyone in Havering, the run-up to 1 January is your window to get contracts, probation and paperwork in order.
Business rates: are you paying more than you should?
Rates were reset in April and reshaped again in the Budget. Many Havering shops, cafés and salons are claiming less relief than they are entitled to, and the April 2027 changes could take hundreds of local premises out of rates altogether.
Hiring under-25s: up to £5,000 on the table
Between the new Youth Jobs Grant, the apprenticeship hiring payment and fully funded training, taking on a young person has never been cheaper for a small Havering firm. Here’s how the schemes stack up, and how to combine them.
Making Tax Digital, e-invoicing and your new tax calendar
Sole traders and landlords on Making Tax Digital now file quarterly updates. In April 2027 another wave joins, and by 2029 every VAT invoice will have to be electronic. Here’s the digital tax timetable in one place.
Havering’s next 15 years: the Liberty, the Local Plan and the data centre
Three big decisions will shape where Havering businesses trade, where staff live and what the borough looks like to investors in the 2030s. Two of them are open for comment soon. Here’s how to make sure business has a say.
Getting around Havering: roads, buses and Beam Park
After 15 months of Gallows Corner misery, 2026 has brought a new express bus, a new way to charge for roadworks and a step forward for Beam Park station. What it all means for deliveries, staff journeys and customers.
The council’s money, and what it means for local suppliers
Havering Council can only balance its books with emergency government support. That affects fees, services and contracts. But a tighter council still spends hundreds of millions a year, and new rules make it easier for small local firms to win a share.
AI for Havering’s small businesses: a practical starting point
More than half of UK SMEs now use AI in some form, and the Mayor has put £12 million behind helping London’s small firms catch up. Here’s how a Havering business can get real value from it, without the hype or the risk.
Grants and funding Havering businesses can apply for now
There’s no big pot of council money any more, but there is more support available than most owners realise. Here’s a round-up of grants, matched funding and cheap finance open to Havering firms, with deadlines.
Getting paid: the late-payment law is coming, so get ready now
A new law will cap payment terms at 60 days, make late-payment interest compulsory and give the Small Business Commissioner power to fine. It isn’t in force yet, but Havering suppliers can start using their stronger hand now.
Upcoming Chamber events
The Big Business Connect: Mega Networking Event
A major cross-Chamber networking evening bringing together businesses from four east London chambers, with Chamber presentations, facilitated inter-Chamber networking led by Mark Dover, and exhibition stands to showcase your business.
November Networking Breakfast at The Pink Parachute
Tea, coffee and pastries, relaxed networking, and a talk from Rav, owner of The Pink Parachute, about her business. Free for Chamber members and first-time visitors, £10 for non-members.
Pinney Talfourd Charity Christmas Carol Concert
Chamber member Pinney Talfourd’s much-loved carol concert returns, raising funds for Aching Arms and Queen’s Theatre. Local organisations are invited to take part. Contact marketing@pinneytalfourd.co.uk or 01708 229 444.
Chamber Christmas Social at Havering Mind
Join fellow members for a festive social at Havering Mind’s annual Christmas Lights Trail in Harrow Lodge Park. Date and booking details to follow.
Chamber networking meetings run monthly and are free to members and £10 for non-members. First-time visitors are always welcome. View the full events calendar.
Key dates for your diary
Join the Havering Chamber
Free monthly networking, a listing in the Members Directory, business support and a direct link to Havering Council.
Write for the Briefing
Members, sponsors and advisers: share your expertise with Havering’s business community in a future issue.
The Havering Business Briefing is general information, not tax, legal or HR advice. Photos: Unsplash.