Key takeaways

  • Small business grants in the UK are mostly run locally: through Growth Hubs in England, Business Gateway in Scotland, Business Wales and Go Succeed or Invest NI in Northern Ireland.
  • The GOV.UK finance and support finder lists 196 schemes and can be filtered by all 12 UK nations and English regions.
  • England's new Local Growth Fund launched in April 2026 with about £902 million over four years, but only for 11 mayoral areas in the North and Midlands.
  • The Business Support Helpline numbers are 0800 998 1098 (England), 0300 303 0660 (Scotland), 0300 060 3000 (Wales) and 0800 181 4422 (Northern Ireland).
  • In Wales, the Development Bank of Wales offers micro loans of £1,000 to £100,000 alongside Business Wales advice.
  • You must usually apply before your project starts, and most grants are paid back to you after you have spent the money.
  • A government-backed Start Up Loan of £500 to £25,000 is available across the UK if no grant fits.

Most small business grants in the UK are run by local and devolved bodies, not one national scheme. In 2026/27 your starting point is your Growth Hub in England, Business Gateway in Scotland, Business Wales in Wales, or Go Succeed and Invest NI in Northern Ireland. Grants change often, so check the scheme page before you budget for one.

Where do you start in each nation?

Each nation has its own front door for grants and free advice. The Business Support Helpline routes you to the right one.

NationFirst contactHelpline
EnglandLocal Growth Hub0800 998 1098
ScotlandBusiness Gateway0300 303 0660
WalesBusiness Wales0300 060 3000
Northern IrelandGo Succeed (council) or Invest NI0800 181 4422

GOV.UK lists the Business Support Helpline hours: 9am to 6pm in England, 9am to 5pm in Scotland, 10am to 4pm in Wales and 9:30am to 4:30pm in Northern Ireland, Monday to Friday.

For a national search, the GOV.UK finance and support finder lists 196 schemes. You can filter by region, business stage, sector and staff numbers.

England: Growth Hubs and the Local Growth Fund

In England, grants are mostly delivered through Growth Hubs. Each hub is run by a mayoral combined authority or a local authority, and its advice is free.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund paid for much local business support until March 2026. Its successor, the Local Growth Fund, launched in April 2026 with about £902 million over 2026/27 to 2029/30. It covers only 11 mayoral areas:

  • East Midlands, Greater Lincolnshire, Greater Manchester
  • Hull and East Yorkshire, Liverpool City Region, North East
  • South Yorkshire, Tees Valley, West Midlands
  • West Yorkshire, York and North Yorkshire

Business support is one of its three themes, alongside skills and infrastructure. Outside these areas, support depends on what your council and Growth Hub have funded. Some councils have said publicly that they have no direct replacement for the Shared Prosperity Fund, so expect fewer small grants in some places.

Scotland: Business Gateway and the enterprise agencies

In Scotland, start-up grants come mainly through your local Business Gateway office. Business Gateway is funded by councils, and grant amounts and deadlines differ by council area.

Larger growth and innovation grants come from Scottish Enterprise (0300 013 3385), Highlands and Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise. Scottish Enterprise lists Regional Selective Assistance, research and development grants, a capital grant and the Scottish Loan Scheme. mygov.scot says Scottish Enterprise is currently changing its grants, so check for updates. FindBusinessSupport.gov.scot searches the Scottish schemes in one place.

Wales: Business Wales and the Development Bank of Wales

In Wales, Business Wales is the free advice service and points you to any open grants. Its helpline is 03000 6 03000, and calls in Welsh are welcome.

Much Welsh funding is loans and equity rather than grants. The Development Bank of Wales offers:

  • micro loans and fast track loans of £1,000 to £100,000
  • loans and equity of £50,000 to £10 million for start-ups
  • loans and equity of £100,000 to £10 million for growing businesses

Northern Ireland: Go Succeed and Invest NI

In Northern Ireland, Go Succeed is the free enterprise service run by the 11 councils. It offers mentoring, masterclasses and access to grant funding for start-ups and small firms.

On 10 August 2026 the Department for the Economy awarded £1.7 million of Local Growth Fund capital to Go Succeed, including capital grants to help businesses grow, and £7.1 million to Invest NI for innovation and R&D programmes. Invest NI focuses on businesses with export, innovation or high growth potential. Its open calls include Founder Labs for tech start-ups, closing 20 November 2026.

Which applies to you?

  • If you are not yet trading, ask your local service about start-up workshops first. Some council grants require one.
  • If you need under £25,000 and no grant fits, look at a Start Up Loan of £500 to £25,000.
  • If you are investing in R&D, check Innovate UK competitions and your nation’s enterprise agency.
  • If you want equity, read our guide to SEIS and EIS for founders.
  • If you need a larger loan, compare business loans.

How to apply for a small business grant

  1. Call the helpline for your nation and ask what is open in your council area.
  2. Check eligibility. Location, sector, size and what the money will buy all count.
  3. Apply before you spend. mygov.scot warns that you must apply before your project starts.
  4. Plan your cash flow. Most grants are paid after you have spent the money and claimed it back.
  5. Budget for match funding. Grants usually cover only part of a project, so you fund the rest.
  6. Keep the paperwork. Keep invoices and proof of payment for the claim and for your accountant.

Grants are usually taxable income for the business. Ask your accountant how a grant will be treated in your accounts. Our overview of government grants for small businesses covers the national schemes in more detail.

Frequently asked questions

Are there free grants for starting a small business in the UK?

Yes, but most are local and small. Ask your Growth Hub, Business Gateway, Business Wales or Go Succeed what is open in your area.

What replaced the UK Shared Prosperity Fund?

In England, the Local Growth Fund launched in April 2026 for 11 mayoral areas, with about £902 million over four years. Northern Ireland has also received Local Growth Fund allocations for 2026/27.

What is the Business Support Helpline number?

It is 0800 998 1098 in England, 0300 303 0660 in Scotland, 0300 060 3000 in Wales and 0800 181 4422 in Northern Ireland.

Can I get a grant after I have bought the equipment?

Usually not. Most schemes require you to apply and be approved before the project starts.

Do I have to pay tax on a business grant?

Most grants count as taxable income for the business. Check the treatment with your accountant before you file your accounts.

Sources

Rates, thresholds and rules in this guide were checked against HMRC and GOV.UK guidance on 6 November 2026. Tax rules change, so check the current position on GOV.UK or with a qualified adviser before acting. This guide is general information, not personal advice.