Do you work with lenders offering the Government’s Growth Guarantee Scheme?
Short answer
Yes — Best Business Loans connects UK businesses with lenders and brokers who participate in the Government’s Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS). We do not lend money ourselves; instead we match your business to suitable providers in our network who may offer GGS-backed facilities when you are eligible.
What is the Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS)?
The Growth Guarantee Scheme is a UK government-backed initiative designed to encourage banks and other lenders to provide business loans by sharing some of the risk with the government. The scheme is administered via the British Business Bank and aims to unlock lending for viable businesses that might otherwise struggle to access finance.
Under GGS, participating lenders can receive a government guarantee on a portion of the loan, which can make lenders more willing to lend to businesses with less security or shorter trading histories. The guarantee is not a grant and does not remove borrower liability — the business remains responsible for repaying the loan under normal terms.
The scheme has eligibility rules, covered sectors, maximum loan sizes and guarantee percentages which can change over time. Lenders who take part must follow the scheme criteria set by the British Business Bank and perform their usual credit assessments.
How Best Business Loans works with lenders who offer GGS
Best Business Loans operates as an independent introducer: we use AI-driven matching to connect you with lenders and brokers that best fit your needs. Our platform includes finance providers who do participate in the Growth Guarantee Scheme, as well as those who do not.
We’ll assess your Quick Quote details and, where appropriate, match you with providers that are actively offering GGS-backed facilities for your sector and loan purpose. For example, if you need cashflow support we may introduce you to lenders offering government-guaranteed cashflow loans that fit your profile. Learn more about cashflow lending options on our cashflow loans page: cashflow loans.
Because the scheme is optional for lenders, availability varies by lender, region and time. We always confirm with matched providers whether a GGS-backed product is actually available for your enquiry before you progress to a formal application.
The application journey for GGS-backed lending via our platform
Start by completing our Quick Quote form so our AI can evaluate your business profile and funding purpose. The Quick Quote is free, takes only minutes, and helps us identify providers likely to consider GGS backing for your application.
Once matched, a lender or regulated broker will usually complete a Decision in Principle (DIP) or eligibility check. That check will consider trading history, turnover, profitability, security and projected cashflows. If the lender believes GGS may apply, they will confirm which parts of the loan could be guaranteed and explain relevant terms and fees.
Typical documentation requested includes company accounts, bank statements, business plan or cashflow forecasts and proof of identity for directors. Time to a final offer varies, but expect a few business days for a DIP and several weeks for formal underwriting and completion, depending on complexity.
Benefits and limitations of seeking GGS-backed finance
Benefits of a GGS-backed loan include potentially improved access to finance, more favourable willingness to lend from the market and the ability for some businesses to obtain unsecured or lower-collateral facilities. The scheme can be particularly helpful for capital investment, working capital and growth projects for established SMEs.
Important limitations are that the Government guarantee is to the lender, not the borrower, so it does not reduce your repayment obligations. Lenders retain discretion on credit decisions and may impose fees, higher interest rates or covenants depending on risk. Eligibility rules exclude certain activity types and some sectors, and providers’ appetite changes over time.
Using a broker or an introducer like Best Business Loans can help you find lenders experienced in handling GGS applications, but no intermediary can promise approval. You should always compare terms, ask for full product details and check the cost of credit before committing.
Next steps: how to check eligibility and proceed safely
Before you apply, gather your latest company accounts, three to six months of business bank statements, an outline of why you need funding and realistic cashflow projections. This helps speed up eligibility checks and improves match accuracy from our AI system.
When matched with a lender or broker through Best Business Loans, ask whether the product is part of the Growth Guarantee Scheme, what proportion of the loan is guaranteed, and what fees or additional security the lender requires. Also ask about timescales and whether the lender is FCA-authorised for the regulated aspects of the transaction.
We adhere to fair, clear and not misleading communications and will always state our role as an introducer. We recommend businesses seek regulated advice for products that are FCA-regulated and to read provider terms carefully before agreeing. To get started, submit a Quick Quote to check eligibility for GGS-supportive lenders and receive targeted introductions from our network.
Key takeaways
Best Business Loans does work with lenders and brokers who offer loans supported by the Government’s Growth Guarantee Scheme, but availability depends on lender participation and your business profile. We do not provide loans ourselves and will introduce you only to providers likely to consider your case. Completing a Quick Quote is the quickest way to see whether any matched lenders can use GGS for your application.
Call to action
If you want a quick eligibility check, complete our Quick Quote form now and we’ll match your business to lenders and brokers who may offer GGS-backed finance. For tailored help, email our UK support team at hello@bestbusinessloans.ai and we’ll guide you through the next steps.