Businesses are being urged to take part in a survey about accessing financial assistance.

Streatham MP Chuka Umunna wants to know whether small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Streatham are facing difficulties when applying for loans.

The Government pledged to boost lending to SMEs as part of Project Merlin – an agreement with the UK’s four biggest banks to increase loans to local businesses and cut big banker bonuses.

But recent figures showed the banks were failing to meet targets by £2.2bn.

Mr Umunna, who was appointed Shadow Minister for Small Business and Enterprise in May, said: “SMEs are the lifeblood of the economy – we are looking to them to create the jobs and growth we need and this will only be possible if they can access finance.

“The Government is not doing enough to get banks lending to SMEs, and I am concerned about the impact this is having on our businesses in Streatham that provide jobs and services in our area.”