Jo met with Barclays managers at the Orpington High Street branch on Friday to discuss how banks could increase lending to small businesses and families.  Jo said, "We had a very frank and productive conversation about what banks need to do to help liquidity and capital flow into the economy and pour fuel into the engine of economic recovery.  As recent research by ITV News has shown, over half of small firms applying for credit in the last six months have been refused. 

"That is why I welcome the Chancellor's Project Merlin, that was agreed with Barclays, as well as Lloyds Banking Group, Royal Bank of Scotland and HSBC, this February.  Project Merlin will ensure that £190 billion of new credit is made available to businesses over the course of the year – of which £76 billion will go to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).  As part of the deal, the banks will also fund a new £2.5 billion Business Growth Fund."

Photo (L to R):  Jo , Tony Jefferys Barclays Business manager, Michael Cleary, Branch Manager, Mike Blower Barclays Business manager, Dion Christiansen, Retail Area Director.