'Government must force banks to lend money to small businesses'

“I demand that the government tears up its totally ineffectual lending agreement with the banks and proactively forces them to lend money to hard-pressed small and medium sized businesses. We have witnessed the sickening sight of good businesses going under because they have been strangled by banks that have been saved by the British taxpayer,” the DUP man commented.

“Without government intervention, especially using these state-owned banks, we risk the possibility of slipping back into a longer and deeper recession. Such a reality would be disastrous not only for the United Kingdom economy, but even for the banks themselves.

“The present activity of the banks is very short-sighted and must be stopped forthwith. I know of many solid small and medium sized businesses that need a lifeline from the banks with rates that are realistic, not crippling and offensive as some are. Our government must force banks to lend money and this can be done with government guarantees already in place. It is not enough for government to talk tough about increased lending, but action will speak louder than words,” he added.