HM Treasury has announced that the Government will extend it’s maximum loan size available through the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme from £50 million to £200 million.

 

Businesses will be able to benefit from larger loans under the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS), the government announced today.

 

The maximum loan size available under the scheme will be increased from £50 million to £200 million to help ensure those large firms which do not qualify for the Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF) have enough finance to meet cashflow needs during the outbreak.

 

The expanded loans, which have been introduced following discussions with lenders and business groups, will be available from 26 May.

 

John Glen, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said:

“We’re determined to support businesses of all sizes throughout this crisis and our loans and guarantees have already provided over £32 billion to thousands of firms.

Today we’re increasing the maximum loan to £200 million to make sure companies get the help they need.”

 

Businesses have benefited from over £32 billion in loans and guarantees to support their cash flow during the crisis. This includes 268,000 Bounce Back Loans worth £8.3 billion, 36,000 loans worth over £6 billion through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, and £359 million through the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme, alongside £18.7 billion through the CCFF.

 

Commenting on the extension of the CLBILS scheme, including extending the lending limit to £200m, Dr Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce said:

“This is welcome news. The Treasury has continued to listen to the concerns of business and is making sensible changes to business support schemes.

 

“These vital changes will make a real difference to companies, in particular larger firms. Access to finance is a priority for businesses of all sizes and the changes to this scheme, coupled with the other lending support schemes available will make sure that companies get the help they need to see them through this economic crisis.”

 

Companies borrowing more than £50 million through CLBILS will be subject to restrictions on dividend payments, senior pay and share buy-backs during the period of the loan, including a ban on dividend payments and cash bonuses, except where they were previously agreed.

 

These restrictions will also apply to CCFF participants that wish to borrow money beyond 12 months from today. This will ensure that the money is used to keep the company going through the crisis. The Bank will also publish a list of companies who have benefited under CCFF on 4 June.

 

 

Further Information

 

• borrowers under CLBILS will be able to borrow up to 25% of turnover, up to a maximum of £200 million

• lenders who wish to offer larger loans will need to undergo further accreditation checks

 

The restrictions in place will include:

• Dividends: Borrowers cannot make any dividend payments

• Share buyback: Borrowers agree any share buybacks

• Executive pay: Borrowers cannot pay any cash bonuses or award any pay rises to senior management (including the board) except where they were a) declared before the CLBILS loan was taken out, b) is in keeping with similar payments made in the preceding 12 months, and c) does not have a material negative impact on the borrower’s ability to repay the loan.

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Further information on CLBILS can be found here.

Further information on CCFF can be found here.