UK Guarantee Scheme for infrastructure
UK Guarantees is a government scheme designed to kickstart crucial infrastructure projects. It takes the form of an unconditional and irrevocable financial guarantee from the Treasury to lenders that they will be repaid in full and on time for their investments in infrastructure projects, regardless of the project performance.
The scheme was introduced in 2012 because of adverse credit conditions, with the aim of avoiding investment delays which could risk the stalling of infrastructure projects.
With the Treasury acting as guarantor, the Scheme covers a range of different underlying borrowing structures, from project financing to corporate lending in support of infrastructure. The level of risk is determined by an internal Treasury Risk Committee.
Despite market conditions improving since 2012, the Chancellor announced in the Autumn Statement 2016 that the Scheme’s availability would be extended to at least 2026.
The Treasury, in providing guarantees, uses a test that the guarantee fee must represent a market price for the risk, rather than considering the project’s overall value for money. This has caused some, such as the National Audit Office, to raise concerns about the rigorousness and objectivity in assessing whether guarantees for new infrastructure projects are genuinely needed, and whether the public value they are likely to bring will be significant.
You can see a table listing the status of projects on the UK Guarantees Scheme here.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.
Women's Contributions to the Built Environment.
Calls for the delayed Circular Economy Strategy
Over 50 leading businesses, trade associations and professional bodies, including CIAT, and UKGBC sign open letter.
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.
The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb
Residents, architects and roofers need to understand detailing.
Homes, landlords. tenants and the new housing standards
What will it all mean?
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch-up on the latest episodes.
Edmundson Apprentice of the Year award 2026
Entries now open for this Electrical Contractors' Association award.
Traditional blue-grey slate from one of the oldest and largest UK slate quarries down in Cornwall.
There are plenty of sources with the potential to be redeveloped.
Change of use legislation breaths new life into buildings
A run down on Class MA of the General Permitted Development Order.
Solar generation in the historic environment
Success requires understanding each site in detail.