Hagley MP Sajid Javid has thrown his weight behind the government's lockdown plan but says tier reviews are vital.

The former chancellor says he is backing measures to support business as the nation faces a tsunami of grim economic news and predictions.

Speaking as he hosted an online jobs fair in Bromsgrove, Mr Javid added he is hopeful vaccines will pave the way for recovery.

Mr MP for Bromsgrove said: "Overall the government has got about the right balance. There is a balance to be struck between keeping people safe and supporting businesses.

"Now that we all know there is a vaccine around the corner, that should give people a lot of hope that whatever restrictions we face now, they will be being phased out and all gone sooner rather than later.

"The support being provided is right but at the same time I understand the pressures that business is facing - unprecedented in every way."

The former cabinet member also gave his view on how his successor at the Treasury, Rishi Sunak, is dealing with the Covid economy.

Mr Javid said: "He's doing everything that he reasonably could be doing, I'm proud of the work he is doing to support the economy and business.

"The commitment the government has made to keep tiers under review every couple of weeks is really important.

"Someone might be in a particular tier today but they need to know that if things improve the tiers can change."

The jobs fair, which took place between 10am and noon on November 27, featured local and national organisations and offered around 2,000 opportunities.

The online format was a first for everyone who took part but Mr Javid said it helped that people had become familiar with video calling during the lockdown.

The MP added: "I'm not aware that anyone has done anything like this before locally as a jobs fair, so we didn't have anything to learn from.

"I'm absolutely confident it will connect employers with those looking for work.

"There's a real mix, quite a few young people in their 20s including graduates or those about to graduate, but I have also come across quite a few people in their middle ages.

"Two I met had been made redundant locally and both said they are really pleased with the opportunity to talk to recruiters."

The Tory big hitter, who was also Home Secretary, left the cabinet after reported disagreements with the Prime Minister's top advisor Dominic Cummings.

Despite the departure of Mr Cummings from Boris Johnson's staff, Mr Javid says he is not waiting for a job offer of his own from the PM.

Mr Javid said: "I'm not expecting anything other than to keep helping my constituents in every way that I can."