27/06/2013

UK Green Investment Bank Receives £800m Extra Funding

Business Secretary Vince Cable today confirmed that the UK Green Investment Bank (GIB) will get £800m additional funding for 2015/16.

Speaking at the GIB's first annual review event in London, he said this meant that the bank would be able to allocate £3.8bn until 2016 in its five priority sectors as part of the government's drive to promote green growth.

Mr Cable also told stakeholders that the GIB would be given the option to borrow up to £500m of this from the National Loans Fund (NLF) - a government lending fund. This would be an important step which would enable GIB to demonstrate a track record of making healthy profits from its investments in green infrastructure whilst borrowing at a commercial rate.

As outlined in its first annual report published this week, the GIB has already directly committed £635m to 11 transactions with a total value of £2.3bn.

Mr Cable said: "Against a backdrop of tough fiscal decisions being made by government, the £800m funding for 2015/16 and borrowing from the NLF is a clear signal to the markets that the GIB is central to the government's plans for green growth and it is there for the long term.

"The GIB is already mobilising £3 of private sector money for every £1 from GIB. This additional funding will allow it to continue growing its portfolio and making a strong green impact and demonstrating the profitability of investing in green projects."

(CD/JP)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

08 March 2012
First GIB To Be Based In Edinburgh And London
The Business Secretary Vince Cable announced today that the first ever UK Green Investment Bank (GIB) will be based in Edinburgh and London. The headquarters of the GIB will be located in Edinburgh, with the GIB’s main transaction team based in London.
12 December 2011
Green Investment Bank Plans Published
The Department of Business (BIS) has published plans to establish the first Green Investment Bank (GIB) to accelerate private sector investment in the UK’s green industry. On Monday morning, Business Secretary Vince Cable published criteria for deciding where the Bank will be based and what the Bank’s first priorities will be until 2016.
18 December 2014
Govt To Announce Local Council Funding For 2015-16
The government is due to announce later today council funding grants for 2015-16. Councils have previously been warned that they will be facing average cuts of 1.8%, with the Local Government Association warning that services would "buckle under the strain".
22 May 2013
Hampshire Police To Sell Unused £11m Headquarters
An £11 million police headquarters, which has never been used in the five years since it was built, is to be sold. Alpha Park will be sold by Hampshire constabulary as it cannot afford to develop the site, the Guardian has reported. The site in Eastleigh was bought for £9.6m in 2008 and the force has since spent £1.
21 April 2008
Police Smash Prostitution Ring
A police operation targeting prostitution has seen 15 people arrested in a bid to curb the operations of an alleged organised criminal ring, which forces foreign women into the sex trade.