Better payment practices would reduce the pressure on SMEs to access finance.

Traditional banks’ enthusiasm for business lending may be muted, but at a time when the UK economy is hungry for growth, there are still other finance options for companies to explore.

Access to funding and support for women and under-represented entrepreneurs is improving, however they continue to feel estranged from the wider enterprise ecosystem.

New CEO Louis Taylor explains how the British Business Bank is increasing the focus on delivering growth to the UK.