Coronavirus emergency business support launched

Businesses will be able to access Government support from today – 23 March – to keep operating in the face of the global economic emergency brought on by coronavirus.

• The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme will provide Government-backed loans of up to £5m to small and medium businesses.
• The Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility will provide a quick way to raise working capital for those large firms who need it.
• A business information campaign has launched to ensure that businesses are aware of support available.

More than £330bn of loans and guarantees to help firms continue operating will be available for applications from two loans schemes launching today.

For small and medium-sized businesses, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme is now available for applications.

This will help any viable business with a turnover of up to £45m to access Government-backed finance of up to £5m. Interest payments and any lender-levied fees for businesses will be covered by the Government for an initial period of up to 12 months.

The Government will provide lenders with a guarantee of 80% on each facility to give lenders further confidence in continuing to provide finance to SMEs. The scheme is available through more than 40 accredited lenders, which are listed on the British Business Bank website.

The Bank of England’s new lending facility for larger firms – the Covid Corporate Financing Facility – is also open for applications.

By purchasing short-term corporate debt – known as commercial paper – the scheme provides a way to raise working capital for companies which are fundamentally strong but are experiencing severe disruption to cashflows, helping businesses across a range of sectors to pay wages and suppliers.

The scheme is open to firms that can demonstrate that they were in sound financial health prior to the impact of Coronavirus. Companies which wish to use the scheme do not need to have issued commercial paper before.

A Government information campaign has also begun to ensure businesses are aware of the support available to them and how to access it. In addition to a new central website, the campaign will use media channels including radio, social media and television to reach businesses eligible for help.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, said: “We are working round the clock to do whatever it takes to protect our people and businesses.

“That means that we are not only taking unprecedented action but doing so at unprecedented speed, because we know that businesses and their employees need help now.”

Business Secretary, Alok Sharma, said: “We know that businesses are in urgent need of access to funding during these unprecedented times.

“The Business Interruption Scheme will make it easier for banks to lend and businesses to borrow. This will ensure that credit keeps flowing to where it is needed, when it is needed.”

Bank of England Governor, Andrew Bailey, said: “The Bank of England has taken a number of steps in recent weeks to support the UK economy through the economic shock caused by Covid-19.

“On Monday a new lending scheme, the Covid Corporate Financing Facility, will open to help businesses manage through this period of uncertainty. Combined with steps taken by the Government, this will help companies through this difficult time and support the needs of the people of this country.”