Small businesses say credit availability is worsening

A group representing small businesses says many of its members are still facing significant problems accessing credit from banks.

The City and County Enterprise Network says a survey of its members has found that around one-third have had to lay off employees due to the recession.

A similar figure fear they are in danger of going out of business due to the downturn.

The CEB Network says almost half of the companies it surveyed felt that credit availability had worsened in the past six months.