Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Index, June 2025

Small business employment: down by 3,800 jobs

Employment at UK small businesses with one to nine employees decreased by 3,800 jobs in May compared to April. These businesses now employ 4,196,700 people—a 0.09% decrease month-over-month. See chart below.

The number of job vacancies at small businesses also decreased in May, with a monthly decrease of 1.67%. There are now 116,100 job vacancies at small businesses throughout the UK. See “Total Job Vacancies” tab in the chart above.

By sector: small business employment decreased in 8 of 13 sectors

Small business employment in May decreased in 8 of the 13 sectors tracked by the Index. Of the sectors tracked, finance and insurance (SIC K) had the fastest decrease, with a monthly decline of 3.78% (-2,100 jobs). Accommodation and food services (SIC I) saw the largest increase, adding 4,000 jobs (a 0.84% increase). 

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 11 of the 13 sectors (see “Job Vacancies” tab on table above). Accommodation and food services (SIC I) had the fastest monthly decrease, at 4.39%. Information and communication (SIC J) had the fastest increase, with a monthly vacancy growth rate of 0.19%. 

By nation and region: employment declines in 7 of 12 regions

Small business employment decreased in 7 of the 12 regions of the UK. Employment decreased the fastest in North West England, with a monthly decline of 0.97%, decreasing by 4,200 jobs. North East England saw the fastest growth, increasing by 2.16% (adding 2,500 jobs).

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 most regions of the UK. Yorkshire and The Humber had the fastest decrease, with a monthly decline ‌of 4.48%. 

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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