Budget 2026: three things small businesses might have missed

Help with hiring young people

Funding is confirmed for the £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant for hiring eligible young unemployed people, plus £2,000 for smaller employers taking on young apprentices. The Jobs Guarantee also now covers disabled young people, with the government paying 100% of wages (up to 25 hours a week) for six months.

Less red tape

The government says it will be simpler for small businesses to bid for public contracts, with fewer survey requests and a “Tell us Once” approach.

No headline tax rises

Income Tax, National Insurance and VAT rates are unchanged, and capital gains tax rates are held. One to watch: minimum wage rises 3.9% from April, so it’s worth budgeting for now.

If you’re thinking about using the youth or disability-focused schemes, hiring is only half of it. Getting the support and adjustments right from day one is what makes new starters stay and deliver value to the business. Happy to chat if that’s useful.

Emma, Unmasked Studio