Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP has welcomed new figures showing £500 million has been awarded to small businesses across the country and is urging more entrepreneurs in the Cotswolds to apply.

The new figures show that 91 loans have been awarded in the Cotswolds, with firms receiving over £893,111 in support.

Since 2012, the Start Up Loans programme has issued nearly 65,000 loans to entrepreneurs and small businesses across the country, helping them to grow and create well-paying jobs in their local area.

As part of the Conservatives’ modern Industrial Strategy, entrepreneurs are being supporting to start up and businesses are supported to grow and reach their full potential.

They are providing £13 billion of business rates support over coming years, as well as tackling delays in payments to small businesses to ensure that that they are paid on time.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP said: “It’s fantastic news that over £500 million has already been used to support smaller firms across the country, including here in the Cotswolds.

"Now I’m urging more small and start-up businesses here to apply for this support, which will help them to boost their productivity and create new jobs.

"Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, with small and medium sized enterprises employing 16.1 million; 60 percent of all private sector employment in the UK.

"Through the modern Industrial Strategy and schemes like the Start Up Loans programme, this government is determined to support them.”