Cable brands £20bn small firm loan plans 'stunts'

According to reports, ministers are drawing up the measures amid fears the banking crisis will continue to hit businesses across the UK. Business secretary Lord Mandelson says the plans would target "genuine business needs" and provide value for money from the taxpayers' point of view. But Cable says the Government has effectively "bottled out" of ensuring banks meet their obligations to lend to small businesses. "The Government should stop messing around with stunts and wheezes and ensure the banks owned or part-owned by taxpayers operate as state banks, maintaining lending for the eco...