Lending to small businesses dries up as outlook darkens

Only 9% of small firms sought finance in the first three months of this year, the lowest proportion since the Federation of Small Business began asking the question eight years ago.

LONDON: Lending to small businesses in Britain has fallen to its lowest since at least 2014 as companies and banks worry about the worsening economic outlook, according to a survey published on Monday.

Only 9% of small firms sought finance in the first three months of this year, the lowest proportion since the Federation of Small Business began asking the question eight years ago.