UK lending plan already in difficulty

Britain’s Treasury has announced plans for boosting the economy by encouraging banks to increase lending to trade and individuals. Under the “funding for lending” scheme, British banks would have access to cheap multiyear loans.

Moreover, the Bank of England has announced plans for injecting a minimum of £5 billion a month into the country’s financial system. The two plans are aimed at boosting the British economy at a time when worries are growing over Europe’s “debt storm”, as described by British Chancellor George Osborne.

“The government, with the help of the Bank of England, will not stand on the sidelines and do nothing as the storm gathers. We are rolling up our sleeves and doing everything possible to protect British families and firms”, said Osborne.

Nevertheless, analysts have turned a skeptical eye towards plans introduced by the UK Treasury and the Bank of England, arguing businesses would be reluctant to take loans fearing further debts.

“The core problem remains. Companies alarmed by the euro crisis will not be eager to borrow regardless of the cost”, said Graeme Leach, chief economist at the Institute of Directors.

The British economy entered a double dip recession earlier this year after the Office for National Statistics announced Britain’s economic growth contracted by 0.3 percent in the first quarter of 2012 following a 0.3 percent decline in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during the last three months of 2011.

ISH/JR/HE

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