BT launches package to help 428,000 small businesses

Today’s launch of BT’s Small Business Support Scheme sees the company introduce a range of new measures to help small business boost their connectivity, cash flow and confidence – key concerns which have been identified by Small Business Britain’s recent surveys of its membership.

BT’s action plan includes a commitment to pay its 4,500 small business suppliers promptly and within 30 days of being invoiced, to helping firms fund the cost of ultrafast business connections, as well as access to free resources such as business mentoring, digital skills, marketing tools and mental health support.

Sarah Walker, BT director for corporate and public sector in the North of England, said: “With small businesses accounting for more than 99 per cent of all businesses across

Yorkshire and The Humber, they are the beating heart of our economy, high streets and communities. They deserve the support of each and every one of us to help them thrive into

the future.”

James Muir, Chair of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Board, said: “The Coronavirus pandemic has meant that many of our region’s businesses have

had to adapt to a new way of working.

“It is important that if we are to recover from this pandemic, and then build back better we need to provide businesses with the help and support they need to improve their digital

skills. The new BT Small Business Support Scheme is a great starting point and one that I would encourage businesses to sign up to.”

Tom Riordan, CEO Leeds City Council, said: “The past few months have been amongst the most challenging in living memory for our SMEs and I think this is a great scheme to

help local businesses navigate through the difficult times ahead to ensure they are able to thrive in the future.

“Having effective online channels and using digital tools to run the core elements of a business effectively will help small businesses through these difficult times and that is idependent on good connectivity. I encourage SMEs to take advantage of the help on offer.”