Growth Guarantee Scheme subsidy limits explained

Why it is a subsidy

Facilities under GGS are subsidies, because the government supports them and they give the business an advantage. The business remains liable to repay 100% of the facility. Outside the scope of the Northern Ireland Protocol the facility is Minimal Financial Assistance under the UK Subsidy Control Act. In scope, it is subject to the EU de minimis Regulations.

The amount of the subsidy and the amount you borrow are different. Your lender tells you the value.

The allowances

Outside the scope, the maximum subsidy for a borrower or its group over three fiscal years through GGS is £315,000. In scope, the three-year de minimis maximum is £255,000 for most sectors, £42,500 for primary production of agricultural products and £25,500 for primary production of fishery and aquaculture products.

Outside the scope, a fiscal year runs from 1 April to 31 March, and the three years are the current fiscal year and the two before it.

What you must declare

Other relevant subsidies in the period count against your allowance, and it is your responsibility to declare them. The British Business Bank lists as relevant, for example, RLS facilities offered from 1 August 2022, GGS facilities offered from 1 July 2024, local authority grants not issued under a Temporary Framework and business rates relief. Previous subsidy may reduce what you can borrow, potentially to zero.

Compare a facility with your allowance in the GGS subsidy allowance calculator.

For borrowers in Northern Ireland, see GGS in Northern Ireland.