The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has appointed Indian-owned call centre provider Careline Services, in partnership with the Business and Enterprise Group, to provide its new Business Link helpline. The service is due to go live on 25th November 2011, the day the Business Link Regional Services close.
The telephone helpline is an important part of the Government’s new framework of support for businesses. In conjunction with the Businesslink.gov.uk website, the helpline will support small businesses and those starting up to find the information and guidance they need. It will also provide support to businesses that are not currently online.
It’s just a pity that at a time when Business Secretary, Vince Cable, is urging us to buy from Britain that the profits from this contract, funded by UK tax payers, will ultimately go to a foreign company. Surely there must be British call centre businesses capable of running the Business Link helpline?