Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Valerie Vaz Excerpts
Thursday 20th December 2012

(11 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Vince Cable Portrait Vince Cable
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Of course I recognise that the borrowing position for many small companies dealing with the banks remains difficult. The evidence suggests that the funding-for-lending scheme that the Chancellor introduced is having a significant impact, and the British business bank will significantly improve the level of finance available to British businesses, especially SMEs.

Valerie Vaz Portrait Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab)
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My constituent Sally Hares runs a business, Hare’s Moor, which repackages fresh products for making curries. She cannot access a loan of £5,000 for a repackaging machine. Will the Secretary of State meet her to find out which fund she can access so that she can grow her business?

Vince Cable Portrait Vince Cable
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I will certainly ensure that the hon. Lady and her constituent get good advice on the range of opportunities available to them. This is somewhat removed from the immediate concerns in establishing the bank, but she legitimately raises an important issue; many small companies cannot get credit.