Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Index, February 2026

February 2026 UK jobs report highlights:

• UK small businesses employed 4,153,100 people in January 2026.

• Small business employment decreased by 2,400 jobs compared to December, a monthly decline of 0.06%.

• Jobs declined in 11 of 13 sectors, with accommodation & food services seeing the fastest decline.

• Employment declined in 3 of 4 UK nations, and in 7 of 9 regions of England.

Job vacancies at small businesses decreased by 200 open positions in January—a monthly decline of 0.16%.

Small business employment: down by 2,400 jobs

Employment at UK small businesses with one to nine employees decreased by 2,400 jobs in January compared to December—a 0.06% decline month-over-month. These businesses now employ 4,153,100 people. See chart below.

The number of job vacancies at small businesses decreased by 200 open positions in January—a monthly decline of 0.16%. There are now 118,200 job vacancies at small businesses throughout the UK. See “Total Job Vacancies” tab in the chart above.

By sector: Employment dips in accommodation & food services but surges in professional services

In January, small business employment in the UK declined in 11 of the 13 sectors covered by the Small Business Index. The accommodation & food services sector (SIC I) had the fastest decline (-1.08%) while wholesale & retail trades (SIC G) had the largest drop (-5,200 jobs). On the other end, professional services (SIC M) had both the largest and fastest increase, adding 16,000 jobs (2.80% growth).

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

Small business job vacancies declined in seven of the 13 sectors (see “Job Vacancies” tab in table above). The fastest decline (-5.69%) was in the construction sector (SIC F). The fastest growth was in the arts, entertainment, and recreation sector (SIC R), increasing by 2.66% (adding 200 open positions).

By nation and region: Employment continues to decline across the UK, but climbs in London

Small business employment decreased in two of the four UK nations and in seven of the nine regions of England. By nation, Scotland saw the fastest decline (-0.96%), decreasing by 3,000 jobs. England had the largest and fastest employment growth in January (0.04%), adding 1,400 jobs. Within England, employment continued to surge in London, adding 15,600 jobs (1.94% growth).

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 declined in three of the four UK nations and in four of the nine regions of England. Of the nations, Wales had the fastest decline (-1.07%). Within England, North West England had the fastest decline (-1.39%).

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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