Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Index, August 2025

Small business employment: down by 12,200 jobs

Employment at UK small businesses with one to nine employees decreased by 12,200 jobs in July compared to June. These businesses now employ 4,187,700 people—a 0.29% decline month-over-month. See chart below.

The number of job vacancies at small businesses also decreased in July, with a monthly decline of 3.02%. There are now 100,900 job vacancies at small businesses throughout the UK. See “Total Job Vacancies” tab in the chart above.

By sector: small business employment decreased in 10 of 13 sectors

Small business employment in July decreased in 10 of the 13 sectors tracked by the Index. The largest decrease (-5,000 jobs) and fastest decline (-0.61%) were in the wholesale and retail trades sector (SIC G). Among the three sectors that saw an increase in small business employment, the fastest growth (0.23%) was in the education sector (SIC P), increasing by 100 jobs. 

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

Small business job vacancies decreased in 9 of the 13 sectors (see “Job Vacancies” tab on table above). The fastest decline (-8.43%) was in the administrative and support services sector (SIC N). The fastest growth (1.42%) was in the real estate sector (SIC L). 

By nation and region: employment declined fastest in East of England

Small business employment decreased in all 4 UK nations and in 6 of the 9 regions of England. East of England had the fastest decrease (-4,300 jobs) and largest decline (-1.05%). London saw the fastest increase (1,800 jobs) and highest employment growth (0.23%).

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 decreased across nearly all nations and regions of the UK. Wales was the only exception, with a growth rate of 0.16%. On the other end, Northern Ireland had the fastest decline (-6.90%).

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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