SOLIHULL MP SECURES WESTMINSTER DEBATE ON CREDIT FOR SMALL BUSINESS

3.26.32pm GMT Wed 15th Oct 2008

Solihull MP and Liberal Democrats shadow business spokeswoman Lorely Burt has secured a government debate next Wednesday to discuss the withdrawal of credit from small businesses during the current financial crisis.

"Several small companies have already contacted me to complain that their banks: some of them part nationalised - have withdrawn lines of credit, precisely at a time when they need support the most" said Lorely.

"Government must ensure that the billions of taxpayers' money they have promised to bail these banks out is used to support small businesses, which are the lifeblood of our economy" she added.

Lorely is writing to bank managers in Solihull on behalf of local companies who are in difficulty because of the credit squeeze. She will ask them to support small businesses in their time of need.

She has put out an urgent request for the owners of small businesses who have had lines of credit withdrawn by their banks to contact her so that she can form a picture of the behaviour of individual banks.

"Then it will be name and shame time when I call the government to account next week" said Lorely.