Hampshire CC is pressuring high street banks to help ailing small firms. It has challenged the Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays Bank, HSBC and Lloyds TSB, on their willingness to lend to small businesses, and how they could work together to speed up the economic recovery. Cllr Ken Thornber, said: ‘By working together, we are in a much stronger position to help struggling businesses and local residents. Although Hampshire continues to fare better than other parts of the country, liquidity and access to credit remains a significant issue for local businesses.'