Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Index, April 2025

Small business employment: up by 6,000 jobs

Employment at UK small businesses with one to nine employees increased by 6,000 jobs in March compared to February. These businesses now employ 4,241,500 people—a 0.14% increase month-over-month. This continues a strong upward trend for small business employment in 2025. See chart below.

The number of job vacancies at small businesses also increased in March, with 1,800 more open positions compared to February—a monthly increase of 1.33%. There are now 132,800 job vacancies at small businesses throughout the UK. See “Total Job Vacancies” tab in the chart above.

By sector: small business employment increased in all 13 sectors

Small business employment in March increased in all 13 sectors tracked by the Index. Finance and insurance (SIC K) and manufacturing (SIC C) had the fastest monthly increases, each with a monthly growth rate of 0.21%, adding 100 jobs and 400 jobs respectively. Wholesale and retail trade (SIC G) saw the largest increase, adding 1,500 jobs (a 0.17% increase). 

In the table below, use the green buttons to see the number of jobs or open positions by sector.

Small business job vacancies also increased in all 13 sectors (see “Job Vacancies” tab on table above). Construction (SIC F) had the fastest monthly increase, at 4.96%, adding 100 open positions. Wholesale and retail trade (SIC G) had the largest increase, adding 400 open positions (a monthly growth rate of 2.42%).

By nation and region: employment increased across all regions of the UK

Small business employment increased the fastest in North East England, with a monthly growth rate of 0.43%, adding 400 jobs. North West England had the largest increase, adding 900 jobs (a monthly growth rate of 0.25%). Use the green buttons on the map below to see the number of jobs or open positions at small businesses by nation and region.

The number of job vacancies at small businesses has also increased across all regions of the UK. Wales had the fastest increase, with a monthly growth rate ‌of 2.86%, adding 100 open positions.

More information

Get all the details from the interactive Small Business Index dashboard.

Media inquiries

Media contact details for QuickBooks in the UK can be found here on the QuickBooks UK website.

USA Index

The Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Index is also published monthly in the US. Get the latest small business employment insights for the US here. 

Canada Index

The Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Index is also published monthly in Canada. Get the latest small business employment insights for Canada here.

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