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GROWTH GUARANTEE SCHEME (GGS)

The government-backed loan scheme designed for business growth

The Growth Guarantee Scheme is estimated to help 11,000 businesses access funding of up to £2M before 31 March 2026.

As the rebranded Recovery Loan Scheme, this initiative will give you the funding to invest in new equipment or unlock the value in your existing assets.

Apply now

Already a Tide member? You can apply for loans and other finance directly within the Tide app.

Tide has joined forces with Funding Options, becoming the largest credit marketplace in the UK. 

Providing over £1 billion in funding to more than 17,000 UK businesses, we’re on a mission to help business owners grow with confidence. 

What is the Growth Guarantee Scheme?

The Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS) is a UK government-backed initiative, running until 31 March 2026, that was designed to help small businesses access the finance they need to grow.

It launched in July 2024 as the successor to the Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) and provides lenders with a 70% government-backed guarantee on the outstanding balance.

The Growth Guarantee Scheme supports a range of Credit products, including business loans, asset finance, invoice finance and asset based lending.

Key features of the Growth Guarantee Scheme

Loan amounts

You can borrow up to £2 million per business group, or up to £1 million for businesses under the Northern Ireland Protocol. Minimum loan amounts vary depending on the product, starting at £1,000 for asset or invoice finance and £25,001 for term loans and overdrafts.

Term lengths

Term loans and asset finance are available for up to six years. For overdrafts and other forms of revolving credit like invoice finance, the term can be up to three years.

Access to multiple schemes

Businesses that have previously borrowed through schemes like CBILS or RLS can still apply for a GGS loan. However, the amount you previously borrowed might affect the maximum you're now eligible to receive.

Personal Guarantees

Lenders can ask for a personal guarantee at their discretion, following their usual commercial practices. It's important to know that your primary residence cannot be used as security under the scheme.

Government Guarantee

The government provides a 70% guarantee to the lender against any outstanding debt. The borrower, however, always remains 100% responsible for repaying the full amount of the debt.

Lender decision

GGS-backed loans are at the discretion of the lender. They will carry out their normal credit and fraud checks. Lenders are also required to offer you a standard commercial loan if the terms are better for you.

Who’s eligible for the Growth Guarantee Scheme?

  • You’re a UK-based business with an annual turnover of less than £45 million and a viable business proposition

  • Your business generates more than 50% of its income through trading activity

  • Your business is not a business in difficulty, eg not in relevant insolvency proceedings or financial difficulty

  • You will need to provide written confirmation that receipt of the GGS facility will not mean that your business exceeds the maximum amount of subsidy you’re allowed to receive

Businesses that took out a facility from a previous government-backed scheme - like the Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) or Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) - before 30 June 2024 can still apply for the Growth Guarantee Scheme. However, their maximum borrowing potential may be reduced.

What do you need to apply for the Growth Guarantee Scheme?

  • Basic information about your business, such as how old it is, and your annual revenue 

  • Your business plan

  • Information on directors and shareholders

  • Bank statements covering the past year

You will need to apply for the Growth Guarantee Scheme through a credited lender.

We've already helped businesses secure more than £1 billion

We’ve provided funding to more than 17,000 businesses across the UK, as part of our mission to help business owners grow with confidence.

How to apply for the Growth Guarantee Scheme

Applying for the government’s Growth Guarantee scheme is a straightforward process, handled directly by accredited lenders. So you’ll need to find a lender that is part of the scheme, and then apply through their normal channels.

Good news is you can apply through Tide - and our application process is easy.

  1. Tell us how much you need to borrow We’ll ask you how much you need, what it’s for, and for some basic information about your business. If you’d like to apply through the Growth Guarantee Scheme, this is your chance to let us know.

  2. Compare loans without impacting your credit score We’ll connect you to the largest network of lenders in the UK, so you can view affordable credit options that suit the unique needs of your business.

  3. Apply in minutes Once approved, you’ll receive a quote from a lender you matched with.

  4. Get a decision and receive your funds Depending on the type of finance you’ve applied for, money could be available in around 24 hours.

Apply now

Access a range of business funding options from our trusted partners

What can you use funding from the Growth Guarantee Scheme for?

Partnering with leading lenders like Allica and Lloyds, we can help you secure funding from the Growth Guarantee Scheme for a range of uses, including:

Purchasing new equipment

From catering equipment to new IT systems

Refinancing

Unlock the value in your existing business assets

Working capital solutions

Supplement cash flow and aid with invoice finance

The Growth Guarantee Scheme Loan is managed by the British Business Bank on behalf of, and with the financial backing of, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. British Business Bank plc is a development bank wholly owned by HM Government. It is not authorised or regulated by the PRA or the FCA. Visit the British Business Bank

Looking for alternative business finance?

If you require financial support for other purposes, we offer a range of Business Credit products to encourage business growth.

Business Loans

Get funding for larger business investments or long-term growth.

Explore Business Loans

Property Finance

Borrow anywhere from £50,000 to £50 million to secure your business property.

Explore Property Finance

Invoice Finance

Unlock cash from unpaid invoices, improving immediate cash flow.

Explore Invoice Finance

Merchant Cash Advance (MCA)

Access flexible funding that you’ll repay as a percentage of your daily card sales.

Explore MCA

Aaron MoOng Ong Buns

With the help of Tide and their team of business finance experts, I was able to navigate the complexities of business finance, and secure the necessary funds to grow my business.

How to track your business credit score

Are you wanting to improve your business credit score?

Credit Score Insights is a simple and affordable way to help you understand, track and take action to help you boost your business credit score.

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