国际英语资讯:UK government announces new loan scheme for small businesses amid coronavirus crisis_时事

国际英语资讯:UK government announces new loan scheme for small businesses amid coronavirus crisis

"Our smallest businesses are the backbone of our economy and play a vital role in their communities. This new rapid loan scheme will help ensure they get the finance they need quickly to help survive this crisis," Sunak said.

"This is in addition to business grants, tax deferrals, and the job retention scheme, which are already helping to support hundreds of thousands of small businesses," he added.

Mike Cherry, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: "This crucial new initiative should enable thousands of small businesses to access the working capital they need quickly, helping to protect the millions of jobs they provide in every part of the UK."

According to the Treasury, British COVID-19 support schemes have provided over 15 billion pounds (about 18.6 billion dollars) for businesses in just a few weeks. The new loan scheme will run alongside the existing Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS).

In March, among other measures, the British government pledged to provide 330 billion pounds (about 410 billion dollars) of loans and guarantees to businesses in a bid to support firms getting through the tough times as the coronavirus outbreak escalates in the country.