BANK LENDING TO SMALL BUSINESSES

Early day motion 193, tabled 9 December 2008 by Baroness Burt of Solihull (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 74 members.

That this House shares the grave concerns of the Federation of Small Businesses that 60 small businesses are closing down each day, that 31 per cent. of small businesses have seen the cost of their existing finance increase, that 54 per cent. of small businesses have not seen an increase in the availability of new credit, that at any one time each small business is owed £30,000 in late payments, and that as a result 30 per cent. of small businesses would consider closing down if their situation did not improve; and calls on the Government to take action to ensure banks give small businesses access to affordable finance with no hidden costs in order better to safeguard the nation's 4.7 million small businesses and their employees.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 27, Labour 24, Conservative 7, Scottish National Party 6, DUP 5, Independent 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Plaid Cymru 1.