24.09.12
£1bn business bank announced
The Liberal Democrats are to announce the creation of a new ‘business bank’ at their annual conference, aimed at increasing the amount of lending to small and medium sized businesses.
Business secretary Vince Cable has pledged £1bn of government funding to the bank, which it is hoped will be matched by private sector investment. It will operate via existing lenders and is expected to start within 18 months.
The Government support will take the form of guarantees and equity, and will not be reclaimed by the Treasury.
Cable will say: “We need a new British Business Bank with a clean balance sheet and an ability to expand lending rapidly to the manufacturers, exporters and high-growth companies that power our economy.
“Today I can announce we will have one. I am working with the chancellor to develop a state-backed institution that will combine up to a billion pounds of new government capital with a larger private sector contribution.
“This will then apply further leverage through guarantees to support up to £10bn of finance to SMEs and mid-sized business – a significant portion of all the lending available.”
Cable will also highlight the need for a coherent strategy, built around long-term investment, to help the UK out of recession. He said: “We must get behind successful British-based firms in vehicles, aerospace, life sciences and creative industries and our world-class scientists and universities.”
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