UK Guarantees Scheme
Find out if your infrastructure project could get a government-backed guarantee.
The UK Guarantees Scheme (UKGS) supports private investment in UK infrastructure projects. It works by offering a government-backed guarantee to help infrastructure projects access debt finance where they have been unable to raise finance in the financial markets.
The UKGS can issue up to £40 billion of guarantees and is open to at least 2026.
It has to date issued 9 guarantees totalling £1.8 billion of Treasury-backed infrastructure bonds and loans, supporting over £4 billion worth of investment.
How the scheme works
The scheme guarantees the principal and interest payments on infrastructure debt issued by the borrower to banks or investors. All guarantees are issued on a commercial basis. They are managed by infrastructure finance specialists in the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA).
Guarantees are not a form of state aid.
Check if you’re eligible
UKGS is only available to ‘nationally significant’ infrastructure projects. Infrastructure is defined as any of the following:
- water, electricity, gas, telecommunications, sewerage or other services
- railway facilities (including rolling stock), roads or other transport facilities
- health or educational facilities
- court or prison facilities
- housing
The IPA will also consider whether:
- a project is financially credible
- a project is ready to start construction
- the project represents value for money
How to apply for the UKGS
- Have an initial discussion with the IPA.
- Work with the IPA to apply for a UK government guarantee.
- Treasury ministers will decide if your project is eligible – known as pre-qualification.
- Your application is assessed.
- Your application is put before a risk committee.
- Your application is either approved or rejected.
Contact us
Email: ukguarantees@ipa.gov.uk
Documents you may need
The UK Guarantees scheme key documents contain information you may find useful when using the UKGS.
Project update
| Project | Guarantee | Status | Sector | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drax Power - conversion from coal to biomass | £75mn (bond) | Released | Energy | Yorkshire |
| Sustainable Development Capital Limited | £9mn (loan) | Released | Energy | UK |
| Northern Line Extension | £750mn (standby liquid facility) | Issued | Transport | London |
| Mersey Gateway Bridge PPP | £257mn (bond) | Issued | Transport | North West |
| Ineos Grangemouth - Shale gas import and storage facilities | €285mn (bond) | Issued | Energy | Scotland |
| Speyside CHP plant | £48mn (bond) | Issued | Energy | Scotland |
| University of Northampton - relocation of campus | £292mn (bond) | Issued | University | Midlands |
| Countesswells - 3,000 unit housing development | £86mn (loan) | Issued | Housing | Scotland |
| University of Gloucestershire - Pittville Student Village | £39mn (bond) | Issued | University | Midlands |
| Hinkley Point C | £2bn (bond) | Approved | Energy | South West |