Growth Guarantee Scheme
The Growth Guarantee Scheme, explained
GGS is a government scheme run by the British Business Bank. It encourages lenders to say yes to smaller businesses by guaranteeing part of each loan. Here's what it is, who it suits and what it doesn't do.
How it works
An accredited lender provides a term loan, overdraft, asset finance, invoice finance or asset-based lending facility in the normal way. The government guarantees 70% of what the lender could lose if the loan isn't repaid. That makes lenders more willing to approve businesses that are viable but short of security.
The guarantee is for the lender. You still owe 100% of the debt, and the lender sets its own rates, fees and criteria.
Who can apply
- UK-trading businesses with group turnover up to £45m. The government has announced a rise to £54m, which lenders are bringing in now.
- A viable business that can afford the repayments, and not a business in difficulty or in insolvency proceedings
- Minimum sizes start at £1,000 for asset finance and £25,001 for term loans and overdrafts
- Facilities up to £2m per business group, which is also our maximum.
What you should know
- Lenders cannot take your main home as security under the scheme.
- Personal guarantees are at the lender's discretion and are common.
- Term loans and asset finance run from three months to six years, and up to ten years once lenders adopt the July 2026 changes. Overdrafts and invoice finance run up to three years.
- GGS counts as a subsidy. You sign a declaration confirming it won't take you over your subsidy limit for the last three years. Earlier CBILS, BBLS or RLS borrowing can reduce how much you can get.
- Approval is the lender's decision, not the government's. Only accredited lenders can offer GGS. We're a broker, and we introduce you to them.
Scheme rules change. This page reflects the British Business Bank's published terms as of November 2026, including the changes announced in July 2026. Your lender will confirm what applies to your facility.