Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department has taken to encourage banks to allow non-existing customers to access support from the Bounce Back Loan Scheme.

The Government have always made clear to lenders that they should open to applications from new customers as soon as it is operationally possible for them to do so.

Businesses are free to approach any accredited lender for a Bounce Back Loan.

You can find a full list of accredited lenders on the British Business Bank website:

https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/ourpartners/coronavirus-business-interruption-loan-schemes/bounce-back-loans/current-accredited-lenders-and-partners/