Careline Services has been appointed by the Government to provide the new Business Link helpline.

The updated Businesslink.gov.uk website will be the primary point of support, but the helpline will provide help to 20 per cent of small firms who are not currently online. It will include a language translation service and textphone.

The helpline centre will be operational by 25 November when the Business Link Regional Services close. It will be based at two sites, in Hounslow, London and Seaham, County Durham.