The Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) launched on 6 April 2021 and supports access to finance for UK businesses as they recover and grow following the Covid-19 pandemic.

RLS aims to help businesses affected by Covid-19 and can be used for business purposes, including, managing cashflow, investment and growth. It is designed to support businesses that can afford to take out additional finance for these purposes.

Businesses who have taken out a CBILS, CLBILS or BBLS facility are still able to access the new scheme.

A key aim of the Recovery Loan Scheme is to improve the terms on offer to businesses, but if we can offer you the choice of a commercial loan on better terms, without requiring the guarantee provided by the RLS, then we will.

At Autumn Budget 2021, the government announced that the Recovery Loan Scheme will be extended by six months to 30 June 2022, with changes applying to all offers made from the 1 January 2022.

 

Scheme features include:

• Up to £2m facility per business: The maximum amount of a facility provided under the scheme is £2m per business (maximum £6m per group). Minimum facility size starts are £25,001 for term loans. UKSE only offer loans up to £250k maximum.
• Term length: Term loans are available from three months, for up to six years.
• Interest and fees to be paid by the borrower from the outset: Businesses are required to meet the costs of interest payments and any fees associated with the RLS facility.
• Access to multiple Covid-19 schemes: Businesses that have taken out a CBILS, CLBILS or BBLS facility are able to access the new scheme although the amount they have borrowed under a previous scheme may in certain circumstances limit the amount they may borrow under RLS.
• Personal Guarantees: Personal guarantees are not permitted for facilities of £250,000 or less. Above £250,000 the maximum amount that can be covered under RLS is capped at 20% of the outstanding balance of the RLS facility after the proceeds of business assets have been applied. No personal guarantees can be held over Principal Private Residences.

 

Eligibility Criteria:

• Covid-19 impact: The borrower must confirm to the lender that it has been impacted by Covid-19.
• UK-based: The borrower must be carrying out trading activity in the UK.
• Viability test: The lender will consider that the borrower has a viable business proposition but may disregard any concerns over its short-to-medium term business performance due to the uncertainty and impact of Covid-19.
• Credit and fraud checks for all applicants: Lenders will be required to undertake credit and fraud checks for all applicants as they would for commercial facilities. The checks and approach may vary between lenders.
• Turnover limit: Businesses with a turnover not exceeding £45m per annum.

UKSE is an accredited lender under the Recovery Loan Scheme. This means that we are able to offer Government-backed loans of up to £250,000 to eligible businesses across our normal operating areas.

 

If your business has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and you need some support to help you recover and grow, then please get in touch with your local office or jump straight in and see if you may be eligible for support.

 

The British Business Bank has a range of guidance and resources available to all businesses, including content on managing your cashflow and a list of independent advice services.

The Recovery Loan Scheme is managed by the British Business Bank on behalf of, and with the financial backing of, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. British Business Bank plc is a development bank wholly owned by HM Government. It is not authorised or regulated by the PRA or the FCA. Visit http://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/recovery-loan-scheme