The British Business Bank newly supported 3,500 smaller businesses in the North West of England in 2025/26, with these businesses expected to create a forecast 3,100 new jobs and support a further 40,900 existing jobs, according to new figures.

In its third annual Impact Report published today, the bank estimates the supported firms will generate £1.6bn in additional turnover which will deliver a forecast uplift in economic output of £700m to the region’s economy over the lifetime of the finance they have received.

Across the wider North of England, 7,200 businesses were newly supported by the Bank, making up almost a quarter (24%) of all UK businesses supported. This is expected to create 6,000 new jobs across the region, generating an additional £3.2bn in turnover for businesses over the lifetime of their finance.

The new figures come as the Bank continues to deliver dedicated programmes for businesses across the North. This includes the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, which recently celebrated its two-year anniversary having supported more than 400 ambitious businesses and facilitated almost £275m of investment.

For businesses within one of the government’s eight Industrial Strategy sectors, the Bank has identified 10 innovation clusters across the UK, five of which are in the North. In the North West, this includes allocations for Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region.

Mark Sterritt, Managing Director, British Business Bank Local Growth Team, said: “By newly supporting 3,500 businesses across the North West, we’re helping to create 3,100 new jobs and boosting economic output, all while ensuring city hubs and rural areas can access the finance they need in equal measure.

“Regionally focused support is crucial to this work. Through programmes like Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, Start Up Loans and Regional Angel Syndicates, we’ve already supported thousands of local businesses. Our new Innovation Clusters are furthering this work by investing in regional strengths, unlocking growth through the Industrial Strategy and crowding in millions from the private sector.”

The national picture
The report underlines the Bank's ongoing commitment to the North West as well as other UK Nations and regions. 87%of the businesses newly supported by the Bank in 2025/26 were based outside of London, helping to deliver more than a £100m boost to economic output in each and every UK Nation and region.

Nationally in 2025/26, the Bank supported a total of £9.4bn of finance for smaller businesses.

The expected impacts over the life of this finance are:
The creation of 39,000 additional jobs
£19.7bn of additional business turnover, equivalent to £8.8bn of Gross Value Added
More than £100m of GVA in each and every UK Nation and region