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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.

Guide to government grants for small business
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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:

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.

Ground source heat pump installer

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

Trade apprenticeships in the UK

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

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.

Learn more

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.

16 commonly asked accounting questions

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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DISCLAIMER

This is information – not financial advice or recommendation. The content and materials featured or linked to on this blog are for your information and education only and are not intended to address your particular personal requirements. The information does not constitute financial advice or recommendation and should not be considered as such. Checkatrade website is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), its authors are not financial advisors, and it is therefore not authorised to offer financial advice.

Always do your own research and seek independent financial advice when required. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named or linked to from the site is at your sole risk and responsibility. Checkatrade blog and its associated writers assume no liability for your actions.

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