Ms Jane Howard:

That is why we tried very early to identify where we found customers that we thought might have a challenge with getting an overdraft and that comes back to the 1,075 figure. We are down to about 100 customers, the vast majority of whom have said that they believe they can get an overdraft and should not have any difficulties. We need to monitor the situation and make sure they do get an overdraft with somebody else and, if they do not, then the figure of 100 might go up. I have given their view. More than 300 customers have already repaid their overdraft with us.

All the banks, through Covid, supported both personal and business customers. There is an absolute recognition that that trading period was not a normal trading period for most businesses. Some businesses flourished but the vast majority did not. Therefore, banks should look, and I know do look, at the current trading position and viability of the business in terms of its income and expenses. That is normal banking procedure every time one assesses somebody for credit facilities.