Small viable businesses need a lifeline, not more ways of taking on debt, to survive and save jobs

The British Business Bank's new report shows gross bank lending (excluding overdrafts) to smaller businesses rose to £104bn, up 82% year-on-year.

"These latest figures illustrate just how desperately our small businesses need a lifeline, which the Chancellor failed to throw them in his budget,", said Cllr Robin Ashby, who speaks for Newcastle Liberal Democrats on business issues.

"They need help not more ways of taking on debt to survive.

"Firms in sectors like travel, retail and tourism are finding that their owners who have already invested decades of their time are now spending their life savings and taking on debt.

"These are viable businesses, who have supported jobs in our communities and who followed the Government's guidelines, yet are paying the price."

Liberal Democrats Parliamentary Spokesperson for Treasury, Christine Jardine MP, said " I am calling for urgent compensation to businesses drowning in spiralling fixed costs. In particular, helping with rent costs, which small businesses are forced to pay despite being closed for months to come.

"We've seen this work to great success in Germany already, and it's time British small businesses also received this vital lifeline."