The British Business Bank has supported 600 smaller businesses in Northern Ireland in 2025/26, with these businesses expected to create a forecast 1,000 new jobs and support a further 5,600 existing jobs, according to new figures.
In its third annual Impact Report published today, the Bank estimates the supported firms will generate £300m in additional turnover which will deliver a forecast uplift in economic output of£100m to the Northern Irish economy over the lifetime of the finance they have received.
One of the key drivers of this impact includes the Bank’s Investment Fund for Northern Ireland, which has directly invested £30million into local firms since its launch in 2023.
The Bank is also expanding support to the Belfast City region through a new £5m innovation cluster, helping drive more equity investment into businesses operating in the eight priority Industrial Strategy sectors.
Susan Nightingale, Senior Director, Northern Ireland, British Business Bank Local Growth Team said: “These figures highlight the important role the British Business Bank plays in supporting smaller businesses across Northern Ireland. Newly backing 600 firms in 2025/26 has helped drive growth, support new jobs and boost productivity in the region.
“Our Investment Fund for Northern Ireland and Start Up Loans programme are delivering real impact on the ground, helping entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. With increased financial capacity we’re now well placed to scale up our support and work with more partners to unlock finance for even more businesses across the region.”
The national picture
The report underlines the Bank’s ongoing commitment to Northern Ireland 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