Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 2:44 pm on 31 January 2012.
My Lords, first, I explained the reasons why the Government decided-as the previous Government rightly did-not to make AIM shares eligible. On the other hand, I am happy to summarise some of the measures to support small businesses that the Government are taking-for instance, credit easing, with up to £20 billion of lower-cost lending; £1 billion through the business finance partnership for mid-sized companies through non-bank lending channels; greater tax relief for EIS and VCT schemes; more than £500 million going into venture capital funds, including through business angel co-investment funds; and the extension of the enterprise finance guarantee. I could go on.