How the Growth Guarantee Scheme works
The Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS) is a UK government scheme, run by the British Business Bank, that helps smaller businesses get finance. Accredited lenders offer term loans, asset finance, overdrafts, invoice finance and asset-based lending, and the government guarantees 70% of each facility to the lender.
The guarantee protects the lender, not the borrower. The business must repay 100% of the debt, so this calculator never reduces your costs for it. The lender decides whether to lend and sets the interest rate and fees. Lenders may take personal guarantees, and the scheme is scheduled to run until 31 March 2030.
Northern Ireland borrowing limits
The British Business Bank publishes different maximums for borrowers within the scope of the Northern Ireland Protocol rules as amended by the Windsor Framework: £1,000,000 in most sectors, £285,000 in primary agriculture and £170,000 in primary fisheries and aquaculture. Borrowers outside that scope generally have the £2,000,000 limit.
Being based in Northern Ireland does not by itself mean the £1 million limit applies. The question is whether the borrower falls within the Windsor Framework scope. Your lender confirms this. These are facility limits, not entitlements, and lender, subsidy and group-borrowing rules also apply.
Subsidy rules
For borrowers outside the Windsor Framework scope, a GGS facility counts as Minimal Financial Assistance under the UK Subsidy Control Act, and the maximum subsidy over three fiscal years is £315,000. For borrowers in scope, it counts as EU de minimis aid, and the three-year maximum is £255,000 in most sectors, £42,500 in primary production of agricultural products and £25,500 in primary production of fishery and aquaculture products.
Do not equate the amount borrowed with the subsidy received. A £500,000 GGS loan does not mean £500,000 of subsidy. The lender works out and tells you the subsidy value.
To compare a facility with your allowance, use the GGS subsidy allowance calculator.
GGS in Northern Ireland
The British Business Bank's performance data as at 30 June 2026, which combines GGS with RLS 3, shows 269 facilities in Northern Ireland and £55.89 million drawn, or 19.40 facilities per 10,000 SMEs. All borrowers answer short questions at application so the lender can tell whether they are in or out of scope of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Example
A fishing business in scope of the Windsor Framework asks for £200,000. The published limit for primary fisheries and aquaculture is £170,000, so the result is outside one or more published criteria. The same business asking for £150,000 is potentially within the limit, subject to existing borrowing, subsidy checks and the lender's decision.
How this calculator works
The checker compares your amount with the published limit for the borrower type you choose, less any existing GGS or RLS borrowing, and checks turnover, trading income, excluded sectors, businesses in difficulty and subsidy history. The overall result is the most serious finding.
It cannot tell whether you fall within the Windsor Framework scope, so it relies on the borrower type you select. This is an independent tool, not run or endorsed by the British Business Bank or the UK government, and it does not tell you whether you will be approved. To find a lender, use the British Business Bank's official list of accredited lenders, which you can filter by region and type of finance.
Based elsewhere in the UK? Use the GGS eligibility checker.
To work out repayments, use the GGS loan calculator.
For more on the region, read GGS in Northern Ireland.
Find lenders with the Northern Ireland filter.
Inputs for the Northern Ireland eligibility calculator
Does the business operate in the UK?
The scheme supports businesses carrying on activity in the UK.
Is the business in scope of the Windsor Framework rules?
Your lender asks two short questions to decide this when you apply. If you are unsure, choose not sure and the checker shows the lower in-scope limit until your lender confirms.
Sector
In scope, primary agriculture (£285,000) and fisheries and aquaculture (£170,000) have lower limits than other sectors (£1 million). Outside the scope, the sector does not change the £2 million limit.
Existing GGS and RLS borrowing
GGS or Recovery Loan Scheme borrowing your business group already has. It counts towards the limit, so only the headroom is left.
Business type
Sole traders, companies, partnerships and other legal entities can apply, subject to the other criteria.
Annual turnover of the business group
Include linked and partner businesses. The published limit is £45 million, with £54 million announced in July 2026.
Share of turnover from trading
The scheme requires more than 50% of turnover from trading activity in the UK. Charities and further education establishments are exempt.
Is the business in an excluded sector?
Public-sector bodies, state-funded schools, banks, building societies, insurers and some mining and petroleum activities are not eligible.
Is the business in difficulty?
Subsidy rules restrict businesses in difficulty.
Type of finance
Term loans and overdrafts start at £25,001. Asset finance, invoice finance and asset-based lending start from £1,000.
Finance you want
The facility amount before any fees.
Subsidy received in the last 3 years
Other government support can count towards subsidy limits.
What is the money for?
Refinancing existing debt can be allowed, but it counts as a new application.
CALCULATOR QUESTIONS
GGS Northern Ireland eligibility calculator questions
Which limit applies in Northern Ireland?
£1 million in most sectors, £285,000 in primary agriculture and £170,000 in fisheries and aquaculture for borrowers within the Windsor Framework scope. Borrowers outside it generally have £2 million.
Does being in Northern Ireland mean the lower limit applies?
No. It depends on whether the borrower falls within the Windsor Framework scope, which your lender confirms.
Do I repay the guaranteed part?
Yes. The business is liable for the whole debt. The guarantee protects the lender, so it does not reduce what you owe.
Does the calculator tell me if I'll be approved?
No. It shows how an amount sits against the published scheme limits. Accredited lenders decide whether to lend.
How do I apply?
Through an accredited lender. The British Business Bank website lists them and lets you filter by region and type of finance.