Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Index, January 2026

January 2026 UK jobs report highlights:

• UK small businesses employed 4,153,900 people in December 2025.

• Small business employment decreased by 1,100 jobs compared to November, a monthly decline of 0.03%.

• Jobs declined in 6 of 13 sectors, with construction 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 900 open positions in December—a monthly decline of 0.77%.

Small business employment: down by 1,100 jobs

Employment at UK small businesses with one to nine employees decreased by 1,100 jobs in December compared to November—a 0.03% decline month-over-month. These businesses now employ 4,153,900 people. See chart below.

The number of job vacancies at small businesses decreased by 900 open positions in December—a monthly decline of 0.77%. There are now 118,100 job vacancies at small businesses throughout the UK. See “Total Job Vacancies” tab in the chart above.

By sector: Employment dips in construction but surges in professional services

In December, small business employment in the UK declined in 6 of the 13 sectors covered by the Small Business Index. The construction sector (SIC F) had both the largest drop—decreasing by 3,600 jobs—and fastest decline (-0.60%). On the other end, professional services (SIC I) had the largest increase, adding 3,100 jobs (0.55% 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 12 of the 13 sectors (see “Job Vacancies” tab on table above). The fastest decline (-5.10%) was in the transport and storage sector (SIC H). The fastest (and only) growth was in the education sector (SIC P), increasing by 4.31% (adding 700 open positions). 

By nation and region: Employment declines across the UK but climbs in London

Small business employment decreased in three of the four UK nations and in seven of the nine regions of England. By nation, Wales saw the fastest decline (-0.40%), decreasing by 600 jobs. England was the only UK nation to see employment growth in December (0.01%)—largely driven by a hiring surge in London (here, employment increased by 7,900 jobs—1% growth month-over-month).

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 all four UK nations and in eight of the nine regions of England. Of the nations, Scotland had the fastest decline (-1.75%). Within England, the East of England had the fastest decline (-1.94%).

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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