Small business lending up

 Lending to small businesses rises

A survey by the FSB has found an increase in lending to SMEs in the past 12 months, with 60% of loan applications approved in the past three months compared with 45% a year ago. The FSB said confidence was returning to SMEs as costs fall and the economy improves. Its Small Business Index had grown by more than 11 points to 28.7 over the past quarter, although this is slightly lower than during the same period last year. Skills shortages remain a barrier to growth, however, and low confidence in the EU and fears over the Greek debt crisis were hampering efforts to increase exports report Harris & Co chartered accountants Northampton, the specialist small business accountants