BRITISH Chambers of Commerce has called for greater clarity over the UK Government’s proposed apprenticeship levy.

BCC has voiced concerns the scheme is effectively an additional payroll tax on larger firms and warned some companies have put investment and training plans on hold.

The group says there has been no information on how the levy, which would see large firms investing in a fund to help train staff, will work since it was announced earlier this year.

Adam Marshall, executive director of policy at BCC, said: “Businesses want to tackle skills shortages and drive up productivity, but the apprenticeship levy risks having the reverse effect.”