Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Index, August 2026

August 2026 UK jobs report highlights:

• UK small businesses employed 4,152,300 people in July 2026.

• Small business employment decreased by 5,700 jobs compared to June, a monthly decline of 0.14%.

• Employment declined in 10 of 13 sectors; arts, entertainment, and recreation had the fastest decline.

• Employment decreased in 3 of 4 UK nations; Northern Ireland had the fastest decline.

• Employment increased in 4 of 9 regions of England; Yorkshire & The Humber had both the fastest growth and largest increase.

• Job vacancies at small businesses increased by 900 open positions in July—a monthly growth rate of 0.89%.

Small business employment: down by 5,700 jobs

Employment at UK small businesses with one to nine employees decreased by 5,700 jobs in July compared to June—a decline of 0.14% month-over-month. These businesses now employ 4,152,300 people. See chart below.

There are now 99,500 job vacancies at small businesses throughout the UK—an increase of 900 positions, a monthly growth of 0.89%. See "Total Job Vacancies" tab in the chart above.

By sector: employment declined in 10 of 13 sectors

Small business employment in the UK declined in 10 of the 13 sectors covered by the Small Business Index. Wholesale and retail trades (SIC G) had the largest decrease (-6,800 jobs) while arts, entertainment, and recreation (SIC R) had the fastest decline (-1.24%). On the other end, administrative and support services (SIC N) had both the fastest growth and the largest increase, adding 9,300 jobs (+2.58%).

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

Small business job vacancies grew in all 13 sectors. Education (SIC P) had the fastest vacancy growth (+1.52%) while health care and social work (SIC Q) had the largest increase (+200 vacancies). 

By nation and region: a mostly downward month

Small business employment decreased in 3 of 4 UK nations. Scotland was the only nation to grow, adding just 200 jobs (+0.07%). Northern Ireland had the fastest decline, falling 0.70% (-700 jobs), while England had the largest decrease, down 4,500 jobs (-0.13%). Wales also declined, down 900 jobs (-0.52%).

Within England, small business employment increased in 4 of the 9 regions; North East England was flat, with no net change. Yorkshire & The Humber had both the fastest growth (+1.45%) and the largest increase (+4,500 jobs). The West Midlands region had both the fastest decline (-1.49%) and the largest decrease (-4,600 jobs). The East of England also saw a substantial decline, down 1.05% (-4,400 jobs)—the second-largest decrease of any region.

Use the green buttons on the map below to see the number of jobs or open positions at small businesses by nation and region.

Job vacancies increased in all 4 UK nations—Northern Ireland had the fastest growth (2.04%). Within England, Yorkshire and the Humber had the fastest growth (1.55%). North East England was the only region to decline (-0.26%). 

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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