Responding to changes to the government’s Kickstart scheme, including removing the 30 job threshold for employers, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the BCC said:

“The Government’s drive to support the creation of new jobs at this challenging time is laudable.

“Thousands of businesses have already stepped forward to create new opportunities across the UK as part of the Kickstart scheme. Accredited Chambers of Commerce are proud of the role they are playing in supporting businesses to secure approval for these placements as official Gateways for the scheme.

“We hope that Department for Work and Pensions will commit to clear the backlog of approvals needed for placements already in the system before processing any new placements, and that they will continue to encourage small business to work with Gateways. Chambers across the country stand ready to support small businesses who want a helping hand navigating often complex bureaucracy.”