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Introduction
According to the latest National Business Confidence Monitor by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) in January 2026, capital investment increased across all sectors by 2.0% (quarter on quarter) in Q4 2025, which was up slightly from 1.8% in Q3. However, due to business borrowing costs forecast to remain at high levels over the next 12 months despite the recent interest rate cut, businesses are expected to see capital expenditure growth slow slightly to 1.6% in 2026. Reduced levels of confidence in making capital equipment purchases are also due to uncertainty over the UK economic climate with firms unable to guarantee when they will see a return on investment on their purchases.
However, it is worth noting that at sector level investment, spending growth was strongest in the transport and storage industry with businesses seeing 3.5% growth in Q4 of 2025. Businesses in these sectors are investing in green transport options as part of a transition to net zero, as well as requirements relating to the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) prompting companies to invest in new digital systems.
Businesses looking to invest in capital equipment and technology can access grant funding to receive finance towards some of the overall eligible costs. Funding is typically available from UK councils and local business enterprise support organisations.
What Are Some Of The Latest UK Purchasing Equipment Funding Opportunities Available?
i) Keighley and Shipley Towns Fund
Invest in Bradford is running a scheme providing funding to businesses to support investment projects in the local area that create new businesses, improve productivity and expand or diversify existing businesses leading to sustainable growth and job creation. Businesses can use the grant to invest in business premises, machinery, equipment or property fit out and bring disused buildings back into use. Funding up to £315,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
ii) Growing Places Fund – Business Growth Capital Investment Programme
Hull and East Yorkshire Business Growth Skills Hub is running a scheme providing grants to support businesses to invest in infrastructure, technology, and other capital projects that will stimulate growth and create jobs. Eligible costs include plant and machinery, equipment, energy technology installations, ICT equipment, electric services vehicles relating to community resilience activities. Funding up to £250,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 31st March 2026
iii) West Norfolk Rural Business Capital Grants 2025/26
Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk is running a scheme that aims to support new and existing rural businesses to develop new products and facilities that will be of wider benefit to the local economy. Eligible equipment costs include: non-agricultural plant and equipment which will improve business productivity, help to engage in new markets or support more productive and efficient operational equipment which achieves a reduction in carbon emissions. Funding up to £100,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 31st March 2026
iv) Small Grants – Efficiency
The Welsh Government is running a scheme that supports capital investments in equipment and technology that have been pre-identified as offering clear and quantifiable benefits to the applicant farm business across Wales. Funding up to £15,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 27th February 2026
v) Fife Investment Fund
Invest Fife and Fife Council is running a fund that can help support and encourage small companies to invest and grow their business or attempt to reach net zero goals. The fund provides a fully repayable grant of up to £10,000 or 70% of the overall costs of the project being undertaken. Eligible costs include purchasing plant and machinery and carrying out process improvements.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vi) Recovery and Growth Grant
West Dunbartonshire Council is running a scheme that aims to support business recovery and growth projects which will safeguard and create local jobs. Eligible capital expenditure includes the purchase of equipment or machinery or digital investment, but does not include the purchasing of vehicles. Funding up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vii) The Let’s Grow Grant
Cannock Chase Council is running a scheme providing grants to SMEs for capital equipment that will help businesses to grow and expand. Eligible capital equipment costs include office furniture, electrical equipment, machinery and vehicles. Funding up to £5,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
viii) Small Business Growth Grant
Invest in Wyre and Wyre Council is running a scheme that will support business growth projects including, but not limited to, investment in plant, equipment or machinery, improvement or adaptation of business premises, training and marketing costs. Funding up to £5,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
How To Apply For Purchasing Equipment 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 funding 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.
Want To Find The Latest UK Purchasing Equipment Funding Opportunities?
If you want to see the full set of UK purchasing equipment funding currently available, please visit https://getbusinessgrants.com/