"It is welcome that the government is trying to do more to help small businesses, which haven’t been getting the level of support offered to large corporations."
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the new Bounce Back Loans scheme, which will provide loans of up to £50,000, would help bolster the existing package of support available to the smallest businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
The scheme has been designed to ensure that small firms can get finance in a matter of days.
The government will provide lenders with a 100% guarantee for the loan and pay any fees and interest for the first 12 months. No repayments will be due during the first 12 months.
Rishi Sunak said: "Our smallest businesses are the backbone of our economy and play a vital role in their communities. This new rapid loan scheme will help ensure they get the finance they need quickly to help survive this crisis.
"This is in addition to business grants, tax deferrals, and the job retention scheme, which are already helping to support hundreds of thousands of small businesses."
Business Secretary, Alok Sharma, commented: "Our small businesses are vital in ensuring our communities thrive and will be crucial in creating jobs and securing economic growth as we recover.
"This rapid loan scheme offers additional protection so small companies across the country can get access to the finance they need immediately, as part of the unprecedented package of support we have put in place.
"The scheme will launch for applications on Monday 4 May. Firms will be able to access these loans through a network of accredited lenders.
"The government will work with lenders to ensure loans delivered through this scheme are advanced as quickly as possible and agree a low standardised level of interest for the remaining period of the loan."
Fran Boait, executive director of Positive Money, added: “It is welcome that the government is trying to do more to help small businesses, which haven’t been getting the level of support offered to large corporations. However the problem with continuing to rely on loans is that many small businesses are already drowning in debt and may be unable or unwilling to take more on.
“Our economy is already overburdened with record levels of private debt, and continuing to add to the pile could threaten any post-pandemic recovery. The government should consider offering support to those struggling through grants rather than loans.” -ends-
