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Introduction
According to the latest British Chambers of Commerce Economic Forecast published in June 2026, UK GDP is forecast to grow by 0.9% in 2026, followed by 1.0% in 2027 and 1.3% in 2028. In terms of individual sector forecasts, services have a predicted year-on-year growth of 1.3% in 2026, manufacturing will increase by 0.8%. but construction is expected to see a decline of 1.0%.
In other performance metrics, exports are expected to fall by 0.2% this year, primarily due to the Iran conflict, however they are forecast to return to a growth of 1.3% by 2027. The Middle East situation is also a drag on business investment activity, with an estimated decrease in business investment by 2.2% in 2026, with expectations of investment levels stabilising to a 0.1% decrease by 2027 and a more optimistic outlook for 2028 with growth of 2.3%.
There is a view overall that UK business growth prospects are currently being affected by short term issues, such as global conflict and as a result a higher cost of doing business. Once these issues subside there is an argument that there is a major long term economic growth upside in the UK. Positive factors include the UK having world-leading research institutions, rapid AI adoption across businesses at all levels and the third largest AI investment ecosystem in the world.
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 Grants Funding Opportunities Available?
i) The Content Fund 2026
UK Games Talent backed was announced as part of the UK Government’s Growth for Games strategy and aims to support projects to develop commercial games-for-entertainment with potential to secure a commercial audience at scale. Eligible projects must have a prototype in place. Funding up to £250,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 31st March 2027
ii) Supply Chain Transition Programme
West Midlands Combined Authority has a fully-funded program that aims to help businesses to diversify their customer base by winning new orders in growing areas of the economy through a combination of workshops, intensive one-to-one coaching with supply chain specialists, training, and access to grant funding. Businesses in the aerospace, digital technologies, electronics, healthcare, medical equipment, transport and utilities sector are eligible to apply. Funding up to £200,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis.
iii) High Impact Grant
Digital Enterprise and the West of Yorkshire Combined Authority is running a scheme that aims to support projects that will significantly impact and transform businesses. This could include developing bespoke software solutions, integrating front-end and back-office systems to automate tasks and improve efficiencies, innovating with AR or VR, or introducing AI to improve productivity. Funding up to £35,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis.
iv) Made Smarter Adoption Programme 2026/2027 – North West
Made Smarter in partnership with several enterprise development organisations across the North West of England is running a scheme that aims to drive growth in manufacturing and engineering SMEs 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: 31st March 2027
v) Wychavon Growth Fund
Wychavon District Council is running a fund that will support a wide range of activities that will help businesses grow, such as investing in new equipment, expanding facilities, creating new jobs, or improving productivity. Businesses from the manufacturing, rural, tourism and hospitality sectors are invited to apply. Funding up to £15,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vi) Malvern Hills Growth Fund
Malvern Hills District Council is running a scheme that provides funding to support activities that help businesses in the manufacturing, rural, tourism and hospitality sectors to grow, such as investing in new equipment, expanding facilities, creating new jobs, or improving productivity. Funding up to £15,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vii) Business Productivity and Digitisation Grant Scheme
Sheffield City Council is providing funding available to help businesses understand and source solutions to productivity or digital innovation challenges. Growth activities include those for productivity gains where businesses can apply for a grant of between £5,000 and £12,500 and digital transformation where businesses can apply for a grant of between £2,500 and £5,000.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
viii) Business Development Grant
Renfrewshire Council is running a scheme providing funding to help SMEs deliver their growth plans. Eligible expenditure includes the purchase of equipment or digital systems which are new to the business, property improvements or expansion, export development, exhibition costs, and the creation of new products or processes. Funding up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
How To Apply For UK 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.