Businesses who set up outside the South-East and the Eastern regions will be exempt from paying National Insurance on the first 10 employees they employ for up to three years up to a total of £5,000 per employee, announced the Chancellor.

Any qualifying businesses will receive this help from the date of yesterday’s Emergency Budget.

“I think this will be a boost for jobs and employment, and another opportunity for recruiters to start up in these regions,” saidMartin Holden, partner at accountants Saffery Champness, and head of its professional and consultancy services group.