Recommendations & Conclusions
5 items
1
Conclusion
Eighth Report - SME Finance
Accepted
Small and medium-sized enterprises make a large contribution to the UK economy, accounting for over half of total business employment and turnover. SMEs are struggling with narrow access to finance in the face of rising cost pressures and higher interest rates and are generally pessimistic about their ability to raise …
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Small and medium-sized enterprises make a large contribution to the UK economy, accounting for over half of total business employment and turnover. SMEs are struggling with narrow access to finance in the face of rising cost pressures and higher interest rates and are generally pessimistic about their ability to raise funds. Furthermore, apathy about seeking finance is a concerning trend amongst SMEs, and this further reduces access to and awareness of potential sources of business investment. All these pressures will be felt most acutely by the smallest businesses in the SME population, who may have the least resources to withstand difficult economic conditions. (Paragraph 13) Basel 3.1 and the SME supporting factor
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Government response AI summary
The government welcomes the report on SME finance, recognising their significant contribution and challenges, and commits to a range of actions including launching consultations by Spring 2025, extending the SME Digital Adoption Taskforce, announcing a £4m pilot package for tech adoption, and bringing forward a …
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HM Treasury
5
Recommendation
Eighth Report - SME Finance
Accepted
HM Treasury and the FCA should continue their dialogue with the FOS and keep resourcing under active review, to ensure that it has the prerequisite capacity and capability to serve the majority of the SME community.
Government response AI summary
The government accepts the recommendation, stating it will continue engagement with the FCA and FOS, addressing relevant resourcing issues, and aligning FOS rules. It also outlines broader measures announced by the Chancellor to modernise the FOS framework and improve its operational effectiveness.
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HM Treasury
10
Recommendation
Eighth Report - SME Finance
Accepted
HM Treasury and the FCA should also continue to the keep resourcing of the FOS under active review to ensure that it has the prerequisite capacity and capability to serve the majority of the SME community. (Paragraph 62) Business debanking
Government response AI summary
The government commits to continuing engagement with the FCA and FOS to address resourcing issues, referencing a package of measures announced at Mansion House, including a Call for Input, an updated Memorandum of Understanding, and a strengthened Wider Implication Framework to modernise the FOS and …
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HM Treasury
11
Conclusion
Eighth Report - SME Finance
Accepted
Any SME with a legal business should be able to access a bank account. Banks may need to close business accounts because of regulatory requirements and concerns around financial crime, but thousands of accounts are being closed for vaguely defined reasons relating to “risk appetite” or “reputational risk”. What qualifies …
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Any SME with a legal business should be able to access a bank account. Banks may need to close business accounts because of regulatory requirements and concerns around financial crime, but thousands of accounts are being closed for vaguely defined reasons relating to “risk appetite” or “reputational risk”. What qualifies for this type of account closure varies from bank to bank with little regulatory guidance. SMEs deserve to know why their account has been closed, and the lack of transparency, alongside inconsistency in how criteria are being applied, is unacceptable.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees that account closure requirements need improving and intends to bring forward legislation to ensure customers receive detailed explanations and longer notice periods when accounts are closed, except in financial crime situations.
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HM Treasury
16
Recommendation
Eighth Report - SME Finance
Accepted
Government, including HM Treasury and the Department for Business and Trade, should consult with the BBB on an ongoing basis to ensure that everything possible is being done to raise awareness and increase engagement from the SME community. This should include assessing whether the BBB has sufficient resources to publicise …
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Government, including HM Treasury and the Department for Business and Trade, should consult with the BBB on an ongoing basis to ensure that everything possible is being done to raise awareness and increase engagement from the SME community. This should include assessing whether the BBB has sufficient resources to publicise its services effectively. Government should subsequently implement criteria by which they can assess the effectiveness of the BBB in reaching SMEs, which they should publish annually.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the recommendation and commits to working with the British Business Bank (BBB) to improve SME access to finance, providing over £1 billion in funding for the BBB. It notes that the BBB has already published an SME Impact Report addressing the …
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HM Treasury