But officials said that, despite the small drop in net lending to consumers, the overall trend continued to show an increase.

In the three months to July, net lending to consumers rose to £535m from £444m in the previous three months.

But net lending to the major debtors last year was negative.

Mortgage lenders report the worst monthly net lending since 2000, with one economist saying the current housing market 'has very little going for it'

Their net new lending is minimal, as companies rush to raise money from bond- and stockmarkets instead, partly to pay off bank loans.

Capital Expenditure and net lending: 15.5% (2009); 13.5% (2010 est.)

The true figures from the Bank of England today show that net lending to British businesses increased by just £0.4bn in the last three months.

And the Bank of England puts the net lending at just £0.4bn.

The overall trend in net lending - new loans minus repayments - has been dipping for more than two years.

Business Secretary: I think the Prime Minister's already made the key point that the two issues of net lending and the structure are separate issues.