• Most Popular
  • Most Shared

Darling to help small businesses: paper

LONDON
Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:16am EST

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Finance Minister Alistair Darling is set to introduce measures next week aimed at helping small companies secure finance and insurance amid signs of a lending slowdown, a media report said on Thursday.

He is to underwrite new loans to small firms and extend taxpayer guarantees to bank lending to smaller companies, the Financial Times said.

Darling is also expected to announce an increase in funding for a scheme that allows small companies to apply for bank loans that carry a 75 percent taxpayer guarantee.

The Finance Minister last month called on bank chiefs to raise lending to last year's levels of 53 billion pounds.

(Reporting by Avril Ormsby)


More from Reuters

Joint Terminal Attack Controller SSgt Clinton J. Herbison, a U.S. Airman from the 817 Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron (EASOS) takes a break during a night mission near Honaker Miracle camp at the Pesh valley of Kunar Province August 12, 2009. Credit: REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Pictures of the Year

A look at the best photos of 2009.  Slideshow 

    PICTURES
    The Dalai Lama jokes with a nasal spray after being asked his opinion on the swine flu during a press conference after his first lecture in Lausanne, Switzerland, August 4, 2009. REUTERS/ Valentin Flauraud

    What a wacky year it's been...

    Um, what's up the Dalai Lama's nose? "Oddly Enough" editor Bob Basler rounds up the goofiest photos of the year.  Full Article 

    Oddly Enough
    A caution sign is seen next to a stock board at the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in Sydney September 5, 2008. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz
    Political Risk in 2010:

    Don't say we didn't warn you

    With the financial crisis (mostly) in the past, U.S. investors are eying a fresh start to the coming year. Here's a look at what speedbumps lie ahead.  Full Article 

    Global Markets