The Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS) is a UK Government-backed guarantee programme delivered through the British Business Bank and a wide panel of accredited lenders.
It is designed to support smaller UK businesses that are looking to invest, grow, or strengthen cashflow, where lenders may want additional comfort. The key date to know: the scheme is scheduled to end on 31 March 2026.
If you are considering Growth Guarantee funding, that deadline matters. Lenders still apply their normal checks, and applications can take time depending on the product, the lender, and the documents available.
This guide explains how the scheme works, who it typically suits, what to prepare, and what to consider next if you’re aiming to secure funding before the scheme closes.
Key note: We do not publish definitive rates. Availability and terms depend on lender criteria, credit profile, documentation, and (where relevant) asset/invoice quality.
What is the Growth Guarantee Scheme?
The Growth Guarantee Scheme is the successor to the Recovery Loan Scheme. It supports access to finance by providing lenders with a Government-backed guarantee on a portion of the facility, while the lender keeps control of underwriting and decision-making.
A few important points that are often missed:
The lender makes the decision. GGS-backed facilities are still provided at the lender’s discretion, using their standard credit and fraud checks.
The business remains fully responsible for repayment. The guarantee supports the lender, not the borrower.
Multiple finance types can be supported. This can include term loans, overdrafts, asset finance, and invoice finance (subject to lender and product availability).
For many businesses, GGS is best understood as a framework that can make “standard” funding more accessible, rather than a standalone loan product with one uniform set of terms.
The Growth Guarantee Scheme end date: 31 March 2026
The British Business Bank’s published performance data notes that the scheme was extended and is due to end on 31 March 2026, with GGS launching on 1 July 2024 following the Recovery Loan Scheme’s latest iteration.
Why the deadline matters in practice
Even if you are ready to apply today, real-world timelines vary:
Lenders may request additional documents (especially for larger facilities, new trading patterns, or complex ownership).
Some products need extra steps (for example, invoice finance may involve ledger reviews; asset finance may require supplier details or asset valuations).
Underwriting time can be faster where a full pack is available, but it is still subject to lender criteria and documentation.
If you want the widest set of options, it is usually better to start sooner. The closer you get to the end date, the more important it becomes to submit a clean, complete application pack.
Who may be eligible for Growth Guarantee Scheme funding?
Eligibility can vary by lender and product, but the British Business Bank sets a core framework. Common criteria include:
Turnover and UK trading tests
The scheme is open to smaller businesses with turnover up to £45m (group basis if part of a group).
The business must be trading in the UK and, for most businesses, generate more than 50% of income from UK trading activity.
“Business in difficulty” and viability
The borrower must not be a “business in difficulty” and must not be in relevant insolvency proceedings.
The lender must consider the business proposition viable.
Sector and entity type (high-level)
The scheme is described as open to a wide range of UK business legal structures (sole traders, limited companies, partnerships, LLPs, and more).
Certain categories (for example, some financial institutions and public bodies) are typically excluded under scheme rules.
Important: If one lender declines, the British Business Bank notes you can still approach other accredited lenders. This is where a broker with a broad panel can reduce “dead ends” by matching your profile to the most suitable criteria first.
What types of finance can be supported?
The Growth Guarantee Scheme can support a range of facilities through accredited lenders, including:
Term loans (often used for growth spend, working capital, or investment)
Overdrafts (commonly used for day-to-day cashflow flexibility)
Asset finance (to spread the cost of equipment and vehicles)
Invoice finance / asset-based lending (to release cash from invoices, subject to ledger quality)
Repayment terms depend on product type. For example, official guidance notes that term loans and asset finance can run up to 6 years, while overdrafts and invoice finance facilities are often shorter (commonly up to 3 years)-subject to lender policy.
How the Government guarantee works (and what it doesn’t do)
A simple way to think about the scheme:
The lender provides the facility and sets the commercial terms.
The Government-backed guarantee can cover a portion of the lender’s risk (the British Business Bank commonly references 70% in scheme communications).
The borrower remains 100% liable for the borrowing.
Security and personal assets
Guidance also states you cannot use your main private residence as security under the scheme.
Other security requirements depend on lender policy and the product type.
Subsidy controls
GGS support is treated as a subsidy, with limits over a rolling period. Any previous subsidy may reduce the amount you can access, depending on your wider group position.
When does Growth Guarantee funding make sense?
GGS-backed finance can be relevant when a business is viable and trading well, but a lender wants more comfort—especially where:
- You’re investing for growth
Examples can include hiring, marketing, expansion, fit-out, or new product lines. The scheme is positioned for businesses seeking to invest and grow. - You’re smoothing cashflow
Overdrafts or invoice-based funding can help bridge timing gaps between costs and receipts, subject to lender and product availability. - You’re buying equipment or vehicles
Asset finance can match cost to useful life, which can protect working capital (again subject to underwriting and supplier/asset details).
If you’re comparing options, you may also want to read our core guides:
Explore flexible options via our business loans hub.
Compare unsecured business loans.
See secured routes and typical requirements.
For vehicles and equipment, start with asset finance and vehicle finance.
If invoices are the driver, explore invoice finance.
How it works in 5 steps
Share your goal and numbers
Funding amount, timeline, trading history, and what the facility will be used for.We map your profile to likely lender criteria
Including whether a Growth Guarantee-backed facility may be relevant.Build a clean document pack
So the lender can underwrite quickly (subject to their checks).Lender assessment and offer
The lender completes credit, fraud, AML and KYC checks.Completion and payout (where available)
Timings vary by product, lender, and the completeness of the pack.
Share your goal, timeline and key figures. We’ll scan our lender panel, present clear choices, and keep everything moving to payout.
What documents should you prepare?
Exact requirements vary, but these are commonly requested for GGS-style underwriting:
Recent bank statements (business)
Annual accounts (where available) and/or SA302s for sole traders
Up-to-date management accounts
A short business overview (what you do, customers, margins, growth plan)
Debt schedule (existing borrowing, repayment profiles)
For asset finance: supplier quote, asset details, and sometimes proof of delivery/provenance
For invoice finance: aged debtor list, sample invoices, ledger notes, concentration exposure
Some accredited lenders explicitly reference items like management accounts, historic accounts, business plans and asset details.
What happens if the scheme ends on 31 March 2026?
Two things can be true at once:
The scheme end date is a real deadline.
Funding will still exist beyond it, but the mix of criteria, pricing structure, and lender appetite may change.
If you want to pursue a Growth Guarantee-backed facility specifically, it can be sensible to work backwards from the deadline:
Allow time to gather documents
Allow for lender questions
Allow for any product-specific due diligence (assets, invoices, valuations)
If you miss the window, you’re usually looking at the same underlying funding families-business loans, asset finance, invoice finance-just without the scheme wrapper.
Alternatives to Growth Guarantee funding
If GGS is not the best fit (or if timing is tight), there are several mainstream routes that can still be explored based on purpose, affordability, and documentation:
Unsecured business loans
Often used for working capital, expansion, or refinancing where security is limited.
>>> Internal guide: unsecured business loans
Secured business loans
For larger amounts or longer terms, where security is available.
>>> Internal guide: secured business loans
Asset finance and asset refinance
Useful when the spend is linked to equipment or vehicles, or when releasing equity from existing assets may help cashflow.
>>> Internal guides: asset finance and asset refinance
Invoice finance
If you invoice other businesses and want funding that scales with sales, invoice finance may be a better structural match.
>>> Start here: invoice finance
How The Funding Store can support your application
The scheme runs through accredited lenders, and different lenders interpret risk in different ways. The practical challenge is matching your profile to the right criteria quickly-especially with a fixed end date.
At The Funding Store, we:
Scan a large UK lender panel (mainstream and specialist)
Assign a dedicated account manager to keep the process moving
Focus on building a clean pack so underwriting is smoother (subject to lender checks)
FAQs: Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS)
- When does the Growth Guarantee Scheme end?
The British Business Bank’s published performance data states the scheme is due to end on 31 March 2026. - Is the Growth Guarantee Scheme the same as the Recovery Loan Scheme?
No, the GGS is the successor to the Recovery Loan Scheme’s later phase and launched on 1 July 2024. - Do I still have to pass normal lender checks?
Yes. Lenders still apply their standard credit, fraud, AML and KYC checks, and lending decisions remain with the lender. - Does the Government guarantee mean my business isn’t responsible for repayment?
No. The borrower remains 100% liable for the debt. - What turnover size is typically eligible?
The scheme is open to smaller businesses with turnover up to £45m (group basis where relevant). - What finance types can be supported?
GGS can support several facility types, including term loans, overdrafts, asset finance, and invoice finance, depending on lender participation and product availability. - Can I use my home as security under the scheme?
Scheme guidance says you cannot use your main private residence as security. - Can I apply if I had a previous Government-backed loan?
Guidance indicates businesses may still apply even if they previously used certain Covid-era schemes, though prior support can affect available amounts. - What is meant by “business not in difficulty”?
In general, the borrower must not be in relevant insolvency proceedings, and lenders must be satisfied the business is viable. - What’s the best next step if I want to explore funding before the end date?
Start by clarifying the purpose (growth, cashflow, assets, invoices) and preparing recent financials. Then compare routes such as business loans, asset finance, or invoice finance alongside any GGS-backed option.
Key note: We do not publish definitive rates. Availability and terms depend on lender criteria, credit profile, documentation, and (where relevant) asset/invoice quality.
