Business Secretary Vince Cable has once again pressurised the UK's banks to increase their lending to small and medium-sized businesses.

In a Sunday Times interview, Mr Cable said: "We are very worried about the behaviour of the banks. The banks are not acting in the national interest. I don't think they get it."

The Business Secretary is due to unveil a joint consultation paper with the Treasury later containing options to improve cash flow to businesses.

Under the proposals banks could be made to sign up to the same type of lending agreements that have been placed on the part-nationalised RBS and Lloyds.