These programmes, ENABLE Guarantees and ENABLE Build, had provided £1.7bn to construction and £655m for real estate.

Of this total amount, £1.3bn has been provided via ENABLE Build alone.

These programmes have been operating since 2017, providing government-backed guarantees on portfolios of new and existing smaller business loans.

This has supported the construction of 5,866 homes.

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Overall, the construction and real estate sectors have provided more British Business Bank funding via these programmes than any other part of the economy.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to reflect on the volume of lending to smaller and medium-sized businesses and the number of new homes that we’ve helped enable over the years,” said Michael Strevens, managing director of structured financial institutions at the British Business Bank.

“Ensuring an adequate supply of UK housing stock will continue to be a core priority for the government, and through the ENABLE Guarantees programme and ENABLE Build, we will continue to support lenders and smaller businesses across the industry.”