According to the eleventh - and final - report on finance for small firms, "there was little evidence of smaller firms having difficulties accessing bank finance and the liquidity of the sector remained strong," during 2003.
But access to funding by businesses in deprived areas has been flat in recent years. A series of reports have shown that businesses in these areas - especially those led by ethnic minorities - have trouble accessing necessary funds.
Venture capital markets remained quiet in 2003, still recovering from the downturn in business activity during the previous two years. Business angels were also subdued, though there were regional and sectoral variations in activity.
The report also said public sector funds, dished out to bridge the finance gap for small businesses, were playing an "increasing role" but remained only a small part of the market.
