This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42729093

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Banks create funds for firms hit by Carillion collapse Banks create funds for firms hit by Carillion collapse
(about 1 hour later)
Two banks have said they will provide money to support small business customers who are struggling after the failure of Carillion. Three banks have said they will provide money to support small business customers who are struggling after the failure of Carillion.
Lloyds is creating a £50m fund, while RBS is offering £75m worth of assistance. Lloyds is creating a £50m fund, while RBS is offering £75m worth of assistance and HSBC £100m.
Both were among the banks that stopped backing Carillion after the government refused to insure its debts. All were among the banks that stopped backing Carillion after the government refused to insure its debts.
The government has asked banks for assurances that they would help firms affected by Carillion's collapse. The government had asked banks for assurances that they would help firms affected by Carillion's collapse.
Meanwhile, Nationwide building society has said it will take in-house jobs which were performed by Carillion.Meanwhile, Nationwide building society has said it will take in-house jobs which were performed by Carillion.
It said it wanted to provide "reassurances" at an "unsettling" time.It said it wanted to provide "reassurances" at an "unsettling" time.
On Wednesday, Business Secretary Greg Clark met representatives of some of the banks to seek assurances that they would support small businesses hit by Carillion's liquidation. Business Secretary Greg Clark welcomed the "quick and positive move" by the banks, which came one day after he had a meeting with them to seek assurances that they would support small firms hit by Carillion's liquidation.
Afterwards, he said UK lenders were ready to give "tailored support" and flexibility when it came to repayments. He added: "It is essential that small businesses exposed are given the support they need by their lenders, and I look forward to other banks following suit."
Carillion's collapse may delay Birmingham's Metro workCarillion's collapse may delay Birmingham's Metro work
How do companies win government contracts?How do companies win government contracts?
Carillion collapse raises job fearsCarillion collapse raises job fears
RBS said it was "offering a range of flexible options to support impacted small business customers in Carillion's supply chain, providing payment holidays and assistance with their overdraft to help manage any short-term cash flow challenges". The banks are offering support including capital repayment holiday on loans, help with fees and increases in overdraft limits.
Measures include a 20% increase in overdraft limits for three months, plus a three-month capital repayment holiday on loans.
Lloyds said its £50m fund, which is now available, was for small businesses within Carillion's supply chain that "may now be experiencing financial difficulty".
For the "most severely impacted" customers, that could mean capital repayment holidays on loans for six months to start with, to help with cash flow problems.
Jo Harris, Lloyds managing director of business banking, said: "Small businesses don't normally have the cash reserves that larger businesses do, so any interruption to their cash flow can have a significant impact on their ability to survive.
"By supporting our small business customers during this difficult time, we hope we can help as many businesses as possible to get back on an even keel as quickly as possible."
Lloyds was one of the banks to withdraw funding from Carillion, but is now stepping in to support firms affected by that decision. The BBC asked Lloyds whether there was a contradiction in that.
The banks withdrew funding from Carillion because of "viability", said a spokesperson. "There are reasons the Carillion situation happened."
Lloyds had set up the fund for affected companies to ensure the impact of the collapse was "minimal", he added.
Both Lloyds and RBS said they would top up their initial assistance if required.
'Provide clarity''Provide clarity'
From next Monday, 250 staff, mainly cleaners and maintenance workers, who were on the Carillion payroll will be employed directly by Nationwide.From next Monday, 250 staff, mainly cleaners and maintenance workers, who were on the Carillion payroll will be employed directly by Nationwide.
The lender will also take over contracts arranged by Carillion, which provide employment for another 1,500 workers.The lender will also take over contracts arranged by Carillion, which provide employment for another 1,500 workers.
Staff previously employed by Carillion carry out cleaning, maintenance and administrative functions for Nationwide, including in its 700 branches.Staff previously employed by Carillion carry out cleaning, maintenance and administrative functions for Nationwide, including in its 700 branches.
The building society said the move to take the jobs in-house would "provide clarity for those affected and ensure that services are maintained".The building society said the move to take the jobs in-house would "provide clarity for those affected and ensure that services are maintained".
Carillion also sub-contracted some of its cleaning and maintenance work for Nationwide to a number of other companies.Carillion also sub-contracted some of its cleaning and maintenance work for Nationwide to a number of other companies.
However, Nationwide said it would "now look to deal directly with third-party suppliers that currently support the Carillion contract".However, Nationwide said it would "now look to deal directly with third-party suppliers that currently support the Carillion contract".
A spokeswoman for the company said it was "too early to say" whether Nationwide would look to outsource the jobs again in the future.A spokeswoman for the company said it was "too early to say" whether Nationwide would look to outsource the jobs again in the future.
Carillion went into liquidation earlier this week, threatening thousands of jobs, about 20,000 of them in the UK.Carillion went into liquidation earlier this week, threatening thousands of jobs, about 20,000 of them in the UK.
It described itself as an "integrated support services business" and held about 450 governmental contracts, spanning the education, justice, defence and transport ministries.It described itself as an "integrated support services business" and held about 450 governmental contracts, spanning the education, justice, defence and transport ministries.
Its failure means the government will have to provide funding to maintain the public services run by Carillion.Its failure means the government will have to provide funding to maintain the public services run by Carillion.