Government-Backed Funding Up to £2,000,000
The Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS) supports access to finance for smaller UK businesses. It provides accredited lenders with a 70% government-backed guarantee; the borrower remains responsible for repaying 100% of the facility.
Last reviewed 19 August 2026 against British Business Bank Growth Guarantee Scheme guidance.
Current GGS Eligibility Factors
- Trading activity carried out in the UK
- Annual group turnover not exceeding £45 million under current operational terms
- A borrowing proposal the lender considers viable
- Business not in relevant insolvency proceedings or otherwise classed as in difficulty
- Funding for a legitimate business purpose
- Scheme subsidy limits and the lender's credit, fraud, AML and KYC checks
What is the Growth Guarantee Scheme?
GGS succeeded the Recovery Loan Scheme and launched with accredited lenders on 1 July 2024. Supported products include term loans, overdrafts, asset finance, invoice finance and asset-based lending. Product availability, pricing and approval are decided by each participating lender.
Ready to explore your options? Our team reviews your circumstances and identifies selected providers whose criteria may suit your business.
Government-Backed Lender Support
How the Growth Guarantee Scheme Can Help
The guarantee is provided to the accredited lender and can help viable smaller businesses access finance that the lender might not otherwise offer. It is not a grant and it does not remove the business's repayment responsibility.
Interest rates and fees vary by proposal. Accredited lenders should use GGS only where they cannot offer an equivalent or better facility without the guarantee. A Green GGS pilot is also testing support for investment in sustainable assets.
70% Lender Guarantee
The government-backed guarantee covers 70% of the lender's eligible outstanding loss after its normal recovery process.
Up to £2 Million
Facilities are generally available up to £2 million per business group, with lower limits applying in some Northern Ireland Protocol and sector circumstances.
Wide Product Range
Participating lenders may support term loans, overdrafts, asset finance, invoice finance and asset-based lending.
Flexible Business Purposes
Finance can support legitimate business purposes such as cash flow, investment and growth, subject to affordability and lender assessment.
Lender-Led Decisions
The accredited lender applies its standard credit, fraud, AML and KYC checks and makes the final lending decision.
Clear Repayment Responsibility
The business remains 100% liable for repayment; the guarantee protects the lender, not the borrower.
UK-wide
Commercial Finance Support
£10K–£5M
Finance Available
24-48 hours*
Typical Decision Time
No Fee
Until Funding Completes
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
The Growth Guarantee Scheme is a UK government programme administered by the British Business Bank. It provides accredited lenders with a 70% guarantee and can generally support facilities up to £2 million per business group. The borrower remains 100% liable for repayment.
Ready to explore your Growth Guarantee Scheme options?
Our team will explain relevant finance routes and identify selected providers whose criteria may suit your business.