Funding and support for businesses

General funding and advice

• There is further information on many of these in our briefing paper Support for small firms.
• Finance and support for your business is a government website with links to all kinds of funding, based on type of support, business stage, and region, among other criteria.
• There is also specific information for businesses based in or planning to move to Scotland: Business loans, grants and funding – Scotland.
• Our briefing paper Coronavirus: support for businesses provides an overview of UK Government programmes designed to support businesses during and beyond the pandemic.
• The UK Government also has a portal for business support schemes relating to the pandemic.

Specific funding programmes

Please note that this list is not exhaustive.

• British Business Bank, Start Up Loans. A Start Up Loan is a government-backed personal loan available to individuals looking to start or grow a business in the UK. In addition to finance, successful applicants receive 12 months of free mentoring and exclusive business offers to help them succeed.
• British Busines Bank, Recovery Loans Scheme. This provides government-backed loans to businesses across the UK as they recover and grow following the coronavirus pandemic. It is open to businesses affected by Covid-19.
• Help to Grow programme. The programme consists of Help to Grow: Management, scheduled to start in June 2021, and Help to Grow: Digital, scheduled to start in Autumn 2021. Very briefly, these offer a learning curriculum and discounts on software. It is possible to register in advance of the start dates.
• GOV.UK, Innovate UK – grant funding, innovation loans and expert support. Innovate UK supports innovative UK businesses to realise the potential of new technologies, develop ideas and make them a commercial success.
• SME Brexit Support Fund. The Fund offers grants to help small and medium-sized businesses new to importing or exporting.
• Enterprise programme for young people – UK (Prince’s Trust). The Prince’s Trust helps young people aged 18 to 30 who want to set up their own business in the UK.

Investment funding

• British Growth Fund. British Growth Fund is an established, independent investment company … supporting earlier stage and established private businesses, and smaller listed companies.
• Funding Circle. Funding Circle is an online small business loans provider, listed on the London Stock Exchange.
• British Business Bank, Angel CoFund. The Angel CoFund makes equity investments in smaller businesses in the UK. It invests alongside strong syndicates of business angels to support businesses with strong growth potential.
• British Business Bank, Enterprise Capital Funds programme. Enterprise Capital Funds combine private and public money to make equity investments in high growth businesses. This programme aims to lower the barriers to entry for fund managers looking to operate in the venture capital market.
• HM Revenue and Customs, Venture capital schemes

More sources of information and advice

• Local authorities, chambers of commerce and trade associations are also likely to be good sources of advice about local and specific support.
• In England, Local Enterprise Partnerships and their local Growth Hubs provide support to businesses and information about local funding schemes.
• Better Business Finance . Better Business Finance provides impartial information and support to businesses. It is managed by UK Finance and supports the recommendations of the Business Finance Taskforce (PDF 515KB).

• Small Business Commissioner. An independent public body set up by government to tackle late payment and unfavourable payment practices in the private sector.

• Business Support Helpline. The government’s Business Support helpline offers free advice.
• Federation of Small Businesses

• Grantfinder database for use by Library and by Members’ staff. Please ask Library staff if you need help.

For general funding advice please see the constituency casework page: Finding Funding for Constituents

Disclaimer

The Commons Library does not intend the information in this article to address the specific circumstances of any particular individual. We have published it to support the work of MPs. You should not rely upon it as legal or professional advice, or as a substitute for it. We do not accept any liability whatsoever for any errors, omissions or misstatements contained herein. You should consult a suitably qualified professional if you require specific advice or information. Read our briefing for information about sources of legal advice and help.