|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Introduction
According to the latest Barclays Business Prosperity Index 86% of UK firms stated that they were confident in the strength of their business in Q4 of 2025. In terms of growth prospects, 58% of business leaders believe that the UK is a more attractive market to start, scale and grow a business when compared with other major markets.
Growth and Spend Priority Areas
In terms of investment plans for growth over the next 12 months, businesses have cited they are planning to spend money in the following areas:
i) Staff training and development – 41%
ii) Development of new products, services and processes – 39%
iii) Purchase and upgrade of new machinery, equipment and vehicles – 34%
Cost Pressures
The main areas where UK businesses are seeing increased costs are as follows:
i) Energy – 85%
ii) Labour costs – 80%
iii) Increase in overall supply chain costs – 78%
Barriers to Growth
In Q4 2025 UK businesses cited the following uncertainties as affecting their potential growth prospects:
i) UK Economic uncertainty – 35%
ii) Increased operational costs – 32%
iii) Cybersecurity threats –29%
Businesses who are looking to increase their growth prospects can apply for funding support, such as Government backed grants from providers in their local area, these include local authorities and enterprise support agencies. There is also support from national funding providers that cover growth for businesses in a particular sector.
What Are Some Of The Latest UK Business Growth Funding Opportunities Available?
i) Great Ideas
York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority is running a fully funded programme that aims to support businesses to innovate and grow, whether they are looking to launch a new product, improve their processes, or explore new technologies. The program provides practical guidance and expert support, as well as access to potential funding opportunities, including access to grants worth up to £60,000.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
ii) Greentech Business Growth Fund
Crawley Borough Council has made funding available to support businesses that operate in the green-tech or low-carbon sectors to support projects and investments that will enable business growth and generate jobs. Eligible costs can include, but are not limited to, investments in business premises, facilities, or equipment, product development, specialist research, training, or consultancy and market development. Funding up to £50,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iii) Walsall Business Support Grant
Walsall Business Support is running a scheme for businesses seeking assistance with growth projects, tackling skills shortages and increasing job opportunities to apply for grants and a free training needs analysis. Funding up to £25,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iv) Made Smarter Adoption Programme – West Midlands
Made Smarter, Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Hub and Greater Birmingham and Solihull Growth Hub are running a scheme to drive growth in manufacturing and engineering SMEs across the West Midlands and help them boost productivity by helping them switch to advanced and automated technologies as well as improving employees’ overall digital skills. Funding up to £20,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
v) Digital Development Grant
Renfrewshire Council is running a scheme providing funding to support the development and implementation of new digital systems which aim to improve business performance and enable business growth. 50% of project costs, operating from a commercial premises are eligible to be covered with funding up to £10,000 available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vi) City of Newport Business Grants
Newport City Council is providing funding to businesses towards the cost of plant and equipment, ICT equipment and software and website development and growth activities. Funding up to £5,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vii) Brentwood Connected Small Grant Scheme
Brentwood Connected BID is running a scheme that aims to support projects that will deliver creative and innovative initiatives or events that will have a positive impact within the Business Improvement District area to drive additional footfall and foster business growth. Funding of between £2,500 and £5,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
viii) Digitalisation Grant
Business Doncaster is providing funding to businesses to enhance their digital capabilities. Applicants must demonstrate how the funding will help create new employment opportunities, develop new products, processes, or services. Funding up to £5,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
How To Apply For Business Growth Funding Schemes
Full details about how to apply for schemes and the eligibility criteria is available on each individual scheme page on the relevant website. Any deadlines, who can apply and what eligible costs the grants will cover will also be outlined on these pages. Interested individuals and businesses can speak to growth advisors based at each provider who can guide them through requirements and eligibility criteria to see if the relevant funding is a match with their needs and help them to apply. There are also application forms and other supporting guidance available on scheme pages as well.