Where can businesses find support?

Sources of information and support Help to Grow campaign 

The government’s Help to Grow campaign provides advice and information for starting, growing or exporting a business. It includes links to information about support for businesses across the UK. 

Gov.uk: Finance and support for your business 

Businesses can search for government support, financial and non-financial, by business stage, industry, number of employees and by region on the gov.uk webpage Finance and support for your business.  

Gov.uk: Get help and support for your business 

The gov.uk webpage Get help and support for your business provides information on the different business support services offered across the UK. This includes telephone advice helplines:  

• 0800 998 1098 (England) 

• 0300 303 0660 (Scotland) 

• 0300 060 3000 (Wales) 

• 0800 181 4422 (Northern Ireland) 

Office of the Small Business Commissioner 

The Office of the Small Business Commissioner, an independent public body established by the government, provides information and advice about payment issues, such as late payments and unfavourable payment practices, throughout the UK.  

Innovate UK 

Innovate UK, a government agency and the “UK’s national innovation agency”, offers funding for businesses in a range of areas of research and innovation.   

Business Board Network 

In England, after the funding for Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) became unavailable in 2023, the Business Board Network was created to support the business and economic boards established in local authorities to carry out the functions transferred from LEPs. Together with the local Growth Hubs, Business Boards provide free support and advice about sources of funding. The Business Board Network is an independent organisation and not centrally managed and partner with local authorities; a local authority itself is also likely to be a good source of advice about local and specific support. 

British Business Bank 

The British Business Bank is the UK’s government-owned development bank, set up to increase the supply and diversity of funding available to small businesses. 

The British Business Bank website provides information and advice. Its Finance hub outlines finance options and it also offers a range of Business guidance.  

Trade organisations 

Trade associations, the British Chambers of Commerce and local branches of the Federation of Small Businesses are likely to be good sources of information and advice. 

Financial services 

Better Business Finance provides impartial information about commercial finance to businesses. It was set up by the main UK banks and is managed by UK Finance. 

Grantfinder database 

The Grantfinder database is available to Members and their staff only via the Library website Resources page. It provides information on local, national, and international sources of funding. When searching it is possible to specify sources by government, corporate, charitable and lottery.  

Companies House 

Companies House is the UK’s register of companies. It provides information and services related to business incorporation, annual filings, company structure changes, and access to company data. Businesses can also use its online portal to manage compliance obligations. 

Business Debtline 

Business Debtline provides free, confidential, and independent advice to self-employed people and small businesses facing financial difficulties. It helps with budgeting, dealing with creditors, and understanding legal obligations. 

Citizens Advice 

Citizens Advice is a free public advice service helping individuals and small business owners understand their legal rights and obligations. 

Export Support Service 

The Export Support Service (ESS) of the Department for Business and Trade is a single point of contact for businesses from all industries which seek to export their goods or services, or which experience issues while accessing overseas markets. The ESS provides guidance on regulation, such as trade tariffs and customs procedures, and has advice on how to access new overseas markets.  

The UK Export Academy offers training and sector-specific and market-specific events.  

Leadership  

The Help to Grow: Management Course is a leadership course funded by the government and aimed at small businesses.   

Loans and lending schemes 

The following list signposts to individual schemes. Information on the specific details of each scheme, including eligibility, is available via the links provided. The British Business Bank administers many of the schemes below. This list is by no means exhaustive.    

Start Up Loans 

A Start Up Loan is a government-backed personal loan available to individuals who wish to start or grow a business in the UK. It offers loans of up to £25,000 together with free mentoring.   

Other lending schemes 

The British Business Bank administers the Growth Guarantee Scheme, which is the successor of the Recovery Loan Scheme. Businesses can use the finance for any legitimate business purpose, such as managing cashflow or working capital requirements due to disruption caused by changes to global tariffs 

The ENABLE Programmes are also designed to encourage lending to small businesses, supporting lenders such as banks and other financial institutions to expand their lending.  

Equity schemes 

Equity investment is the process of raising capital through the sale of shares in a company. Investors take an equity stake in the company with the aim of selling at a profit when the company has expanded. There are a number of tax incentives to encourage equity investment. 

Business angels and the Angel CoFund 

The Angel CoFund (ACF) makes equity investments in smaller businesses in the UK. It invests alongside strong syndicates of ‘business angels’ to support businesses with strong growth potential. There is more information on the ACF Investors website. The British Business Bank has a close relationship with the ACF as an investor and partner.  

Venture capital schemes  

HM Revenue and Customs guidance outlines two schemes, the Enterprise Investment Scheme and the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme, which are designed to help SMEs grow by offering tax relief to individuals, who are shareholders for a minimum of 3 years. 

Enterprise capital funds 

The Enterprise Capital Funds programme exists to help prospective fund managers in establishing funds. It combines private and public money to make equity investments into businesses with high growth potential: the British Business Bank invests alongside venture capital funds to improve the outcome for private investors, thereby encouraging them to invest in smaller businesses. SMEs cannot directly apply for investments since the programme is for investment managers. However, the British Business Bank website provides the details of fund managers that are already partners in the programme.  

Further information 

For further information, see the Library briefing Support for small businesses. 

For broader funding enquiries, please see the Library casework article Finding funding for constituents.  

About the author: Lorenzo Palmieri is a researcher at the House of Commons Library, specialising in areas of company law, insolvency, business support, and financial services. 

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.