The Growth Guarantee Scheme supports facilities up to a defined maximum per business group — up to £2 million for most UK businesses — and is aimed at smaller businesses with turnover broadly up to £45 million. The £2m is a ceiling, not an entitlement: the amount you’re actually offered depends on the lender’s affordability assessment, your financials and the funding purpose. Limits can apply at group level and may change, so confirm current figures with an accredited lender.
Key takeaways
- Maximum facility is up to £2 million for most businesses, per business group.
- Turnover limit is broadly up to £45 million — larger businesses aren’t eligible.
- Limits generally apply at group level, not per entity.
- The maximum is a ceiling; your offer depends on affordability and financials.
- Subsidy control rules can affect totals if you combine public support.
- Borrow what fits your need — not the maximum available.
One of the first questions established businesses ask about the Growth Guarantee Scheme is simply: how much can I borrow? The scheme sets clear upper limits, but the amount you are actually offered depends on the lender’s assessment of your business. This guide explains the maximum facility, the turnover limit, how group structures are treated, and what really determines the amount you can access.
The maximum facility
The scheme supports facilities up to a defined maximum per business group — up to £2 million for most UK businesses, subject to the scheme’s rules and the lender’s assessment. This is the ceiling the scheme allows, but it is important to understand that it is not an entitlement. Whether you can borrow anywhere near it depends entirely on the lender’s affordability and credit assessment of your business.
The turnover limit
The scheme is deliberately targeted at small and medium-sized businesses, so it applies a turnover limit — broadly up to £45 million. Businesses above this threshold are not eligible for the scheme. Because criteria can be updated over time, it is worth confirming the current turnover limit with an accredited lender or the British Business Bank before applying, especially if your business is near the threshold.
How group structures count
Both the maximum facility and the turnover limit generally apply at the business-group level rather than per individual entity. If your business is part of a group, the total scheme-backed amount across the group counts toward the £2 million cap, and the turnover limit can be assessed across the group too. If you operate within a group structure, clarify with the lender exactly how the limits apply to your specific arrangement.
What determines your actual amount
Within the scheme’s ceiling, the amount you are offered is driven by the lender’s commercial assessment:
- Affordability — can the business comfortably service the repayments?
- Trading history and financials — turnover, profitability and cash flow.
- Funding purpose — a clear, sensible use supports a larger facility.
- Security and credit profile — what is offered and your borrowing record.
A strong, viable, established business with clear financials can typically support a larger facility than a marginal one.
Can you have more than one facility?
Because the scheme caps the total scheme-backed amount at group level rather than necessarily limiting you to a single facility, you may be able to hold more than one facility within the overall maximum — for example a term loan and an overdraft — subject to the lender’s assessment and subsidy limits. Your lender will confirm what is possible for your business.
Subsidy control and limits
Because the scheme involves government support, it operates within the UK’s subsidy control framework, which limits the total subsidy a business can receive over a period. For most smaller businesses this is not a practical constraint, but it can become relevant if you are combining several forms of public support — multiple backed facilities, grants and other assistance. The accredited lender handles the relevant checks and will tell you what applies.
If you’ve received other public support — grants or earlier backed loans — mention it early. Subsidy limits rarely bite for smaller businesses, but the lender needs to check the position.
Don’t borrow the maximum just because you can
The scheme maximum is a ceiling, not a target. Borrow an amount that genuinely fits your need and that the business can comfortably afford to repay. Over-borrowing increases both cost and risk without benefit. A well-judged facility sized to a clear purpose is far better for the business than the largest sum a lender might be willing to advance.
What if you need more?
If your need exceeds the scheme maximum, you would look to standard commercial finance, which has no scheme cap, potentially alongside a scheme-backed facility. A commercial finance broker can help structure a larger funding package across sources, combining scheme-backed and standard finance to meet a bigger requirement.
The bottom line
The Growth Guarantee Scheme allows facilities up to £2 million per business group for businesses with turnover broadly up to £45 million, with limits typically applying at group level. But the figure you can actually access depends on the lender’s affordability assessment and your financials, and the maximum is a ceiling rather than an entitlement. Confirm current limits with an accredited lender, borrow what genuinely fits your need, and consider standard finance if your requirement is larger.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum I can borrow under the Growth Guarantee Scheme?
The scheme supports facilities up to a defined maximum per business group — up to £2 million for most UK businesses, subject to scheme rules and the lender’s assessment. The actual amount offered depends on your circumstances and the lender’s affordability checks.
Is the maximum per business or per group?
The maximum generally applies at the business-group level rather than per individual entity. If your business is part of a group, the total scheme-backed amount across the group is what counts toward the cap.
Does everyone qualify for the full £2 million?
No. The £2 million is a scheme maximum, not an entitlement. The amount you are actually offered depends on the lender’s affordability and credit assessment, your trading history, financials and the purpose of the funding.
What is the turnover limit for the scheme?
The scheme is aimed at smaller businesses and applies a turnover limit, broadly up to £45 million. Businesses above the limit are not eligible. As criteria can change, confirm the current threshold with an accredited lender.
How is the turnover limit measured for a group?
Group structures are considered, so the turnover limit can apply at the group level. If your business is near the threshold or part of a group, clarify with the lender how the limit applies to your specific structure.
Can I borrow the maximum across several facilities?
Potentially. The scheme caps the total scheme-backed amount at group level rather than necessarily limiting you to a single facility, so you might have more than one facility within the overall maximum, subject to the lender’s assessment and subsidy limits.
What is the minimum I can borrow?
Minimums are set by individual lenders rather than the scheme, and vary by facility type. Some lenders focus on larger facilities while others support smaller amounts. Check the lender’s minimum if you need a modest facility.
What determines the amount I am offered?
The lender’s affordability assessment, your trading history and financials, cash flow, the funding purpose, any security, and your credit profile. A strong, viable business with clear financials can typically support a larger facility.
Does the amount affect whether I need a personal guarantee?
It can. Larger facilities may be more likely to involve a personal guarantee, at the lender’s discretion. Under the scheme, however, your principal private residence cannot be taken as security regardless of the amount.
Do subsidy rules affect how much I can have?
Because the scheme involves government support, it operates within the UK’s subsidy control framework, which limits total subsidy over a period. This rarely constrains most smaller businesses but can matter if you combine several forms of public support; the lender checks this.
Should I borrow the maximum I can?
No. Borrow an amount that genuinely fits your need and that the business can comfortably repay. Borrowing more than necessary increases cost and risk. The maximum is a ceiling, not a target.
Can I increase my facility later?
You may be able to apply for additional funding within the overall maximum and the lender’s assessment, subject to scheme rules and subsidy limits. A strong repayment track record supports a future increase.
Does the maximum change over time?
Scheme parameters can be updated, and limits may change with extensions or revisions. Because of this, always confirm the current maximum and turnover limit with an accredited lender or the British Business Bank before applying.
What if I need more than the scheme maximum?
For needs above the scheme maximum, you would look to standard commercial finance, which has no scheme cap, possibly alongside a scheme-backed facility. A broker can help structure a larger funding package across sources.
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Get your free quoteThis article is general information, not financial advice. Eligibility, rates and terms vary by lender and your circumstances. The Loans Hub is a finance broker, not a lender.
