Proposals to strengthen food safety system
The Food Standards Agency has announced proposals to strengthen and modernise the food safety system. The proposals include improving the way food businesses register, applying the right level of regulation to different types of business, and making it compulsory to display food hygiene ratings online across the UK and in shops and restaurants in England.
Read more about the proposals here
Second funding window confirmed for Sustainable Farming Incentive
Farmers in England will be able to apply for the second window of the Sustainable Farming Incentive from 22 September 2026. An additional £50 million will also be available to support businesses hit by drought. According to Defra, the most popular actions in the first window included low-input grassland, hedgerow management, haymaking, herbal leys and pond management. The average annual value of agreements in the first window was just under £10,000.
Read more about the funding here
Booking is now open – Menopause Confident Workplaces, Barrow
Tickets are now live for the Menopause Confident Workplaces launch event.
A fully-funded programme delivered by Dandelion Coaching, funded through Barrow Rising, helping small and medium-sized businesses, charities and community organisations across Barrow create workplaces where people feel understood and able to thrive during menopause.
Thursday 22nd October at The Bridge, Barrow in Furness from 9.30am to 4.30pm (arrival from 9.15am).
You’ll leave with a better understanding of menopause at work, more confidence having the conversation, and practical ideas to take back to your team.
Greening Businesses Scheme – round 3 now open
Applications are now open for round 3 of Westmorland and Furness Council’s Greening Businesses Scheme.
Are you a business looking to reduce your carbon footprint, cut costs, and future-proof?
Following the success of the previous two rounds – which supported 20 businesses across Westmorland and Furness with free carbon audits and decarbonisation plans – this latest round aims to help even more organisations take meaningful steps toward becoming more environmentally sustainable.
Successful applicants will get practical, expert guidance through the Council’s partnership with CBEN and will be supported to:
The scheme is open to small and medium (SME) businesses of all sectors as long as they are based in Westmorland and Furness.
The deadline for applications is Sunday 25th October with guidance and application form available here
Are you ready to take your business beyond the UK?
Expanding into international markets can unlock significant growth opportunities for your business, but knowing where to start can be challenging.
That’s why BIST have made Export Accelerator available on demand, a five-part series designed to guide you through every stage of exporting. Whether you’re completely new to overseas trade or looking to refresh your knowledge, these expert-led sessions will give you the confidence to take the next step.
Watch the first episode on demand: Finding the right international market
Access the full series below:
Episode 2: Reaching international customers – Discover practical ways to find, attract and connect with customers in overseas markets.
Episode 3: Pricing for export success – Learn how to price your products or services competitively while protecting your profitability.
Episode 4: Choosing your route to market – Explore different market entry options, from selling directly to customers to working with distributors and partners.
Episode 5: Managing global logistics – Understand the essentials of international shipping, fulfilment and logistics to help your business trade confidently across borders.
Why watch?
Start your export journey today and gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to grow your business internationally.
