FACTBOX - Measures to support small businesses

LONDON (Reuters) - The government launched a 20 billion pound finance guarantee scheme for small and medium sized businesses Wednesday in an effort to support cash-strapped firms through the fast-approaching recession.

Below are the key points from the aid package:

WORKING CAPITAL SCHEME

* Expanding a one billion pound guarantee scheme just for exporters which it set out in November's pre-budget report, the government is now offering to secure up to 20 billion pounds of lending to any businesses with turnover of up to 500 million pounds.

* The government will underwrite up to 50 percent -- to a limit of 10 billion pounds - of loans submitted by banks, with lenders paying a premium for using the scheme. Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds TSB and RBS have expressed an interest.

* The government hopes the guarantee will enable banks to free up capital to boost lending further to business. Banks have agreed to this principle.

* Subject to European Union state aid clearance.

ENTERPRISE FINANCE GUARANTEE

* This one billion pound guarantee for small, credit-worthy companies with an annual turnover of up to 25 million pounds will support 1.3 billion pounds of bank lending.