Official figures from UK Finance show while there have been over 130,000 enquiries from businesses across the country for business interruption loans, just 983 businesses have had finance approved with £90m paid out.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the CBILS programme is being extended so that all viable small businesses affected by Covid-19, and not just those unable to secure regular commercial financing, will now be eligible should they need finance to keep operating during this difficult time.