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Last updated: 1 December 2023
Guide to government grants for small business
Government grants for small business help tradespeople develop and grow. This article looks at self-employed grants, start-up grants and more.

Tradespeople have plenty of options for financing their businesses. Government grants are one of them. They can be a highly effective choice to help boost growth.
What are government grants for small business?
There's an important difference between a government grant and a government loan. A government grant for business owners does not need to be repaid.
Funding for small businesses aims to help tradespeople grow profitably
Grants are often used to invest in new equipment or train staff
They can also be used to help a business break into new markets
Often, a grant will be allocated for a specific project or purpose. It will have conditions that state how the funds can be used. There are plenty of government grant choices for small business.
There's an important difference between a government grant and a government loan. A government grant for business owners does not need to be repaid.
Applying for a government grant
To apply for a new grant for your business, you'll need to check what information the application requires. You'll probably need:
A budget plan to show how the funds would be spent - a budget planner is helpful for this
A strong cash flow
Government grants for energy
Funding schemes are available for homeowners aimed at improving energy efficiency. These include boiler upgrades, solar panels, and heat pumps.
There's financial help, too, for businesses looking for a grant. The government has put up £5 billion to help UK businesses be greener.
Grants for energy efficiency improvements in the workplace cover a wide range, including the use of clean-energy heat pumps. There are also plenty of ways your business can be more energy efficient. This can reduce the need for financial support.

What are the government self-employed grants?
Perhaps you need financial support to recruit and train new employees. One way to do this is through the apprenticeship scheme, for which you can apply for government help.
Another way to receive funding for your self-employed business is through a Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). There are 38 LEPs across England. LEPs bring local authorities and businesses together through business funding, support and guidance in their region.
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A comprehensive list of government grants for business shows just what's available right now. Here, you can filter the funding available depending on:
Business stage (start-up or established)
Industry
Number of employees
Region

Are there any start-up grants for tradespeople?
If you're looking to start up a trade business, you might be wondering what funding is available to help get you going.
If your cash flow at the beginning is limited then government grants for business start-ups are available.
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Take some inspiration from one of our members' stories:
Nigel's story to starting up his decorating business
The Founder of Bennett's Decorating Services, Nigel Bennett, has 25 years of running a successful decorating business under his belt. There is no better source of business start-up advice to help you navigate the first few months.
Business startup grants for over 30s
Government grant schemes are available for all age groups. That's great news if you're looking to change careers and become your own boss.
Our guide to retraining as a tradesperson in your 40s could be useful.

FAQs
What grants are available in Wales?
You'll find a comprehensive list of what grants are available in Wales. Make sure you check all the conditions required before you apply to find one that's best for you.
Are there government grants in the UK?
Yes, there are government grants in the UK for tradespeople. Applications are launched and closed throughout the year, so check regularly to see what's available.
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