The British government will unlock £150m in cash from bank accounts that have been overlooked by their owners and repurpose it to support social enterprises and charities working through the coronavirus crisis.

Speaking at the daily Downing Street conference on 20 May, the culture secretary, Oliver Dowden, said he would accelerate the release of £71m of new funds from dormant bank accounts alongside £79m already freed up to help charities in dealing with the pandemic.