Working Capital Scheme

Stewart Hosie
To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (1) how many businesses have sought access to funds under the Working Capital Scheme;

(2) how many businesses are currently in receipt of assistance under the Working Capital Scheme.

Ian Pearson
[holding answer 11 February 2009]: The Working Capital Scheme is not available directly to businesses. The scheme is designed to enable participating banks to increase the amount of working capital they can make available to businesses.