Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Index, March 2025

Small business employment: up by 6,000 jobs

Employment at UK small businesses with one to nine employees increased by 6,000 jobs in February compared to January. These businesses now employ 4,241,500 people—a 0.14% increase month-over-month. This continues a strong upward trend for small business employment in 2025. See chart below.

The number of job vacancies at small businesses also increased in February, with 300 more open positions compared to January—a monthly increase of 0.25%. There are now 125,600 job vacancies at small businesses throughout the UK. See “Total Job Vacancies” tabs in the chart above.

By sector: small business employment increased in 11 sectors

Small business employment in February increased in 11 of 13 sectors tracked by the Index. Finance and insurance (SIC K) and transport and storage (SIC H) had the fastest monthly increases, each with a monthly growth rate of 0.24%, adding 100 jobs and 300 jobs, respectively. Wholesale and retail trade (SIC G) saw the largest increase, adding 1,700 jobs (a 0.2% increase). Real estate (SIC L) and information and communication (SIC J) were the only sectors to see a decrease in employment. 

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

Despite an overall increase, small business job vacancies decreased in 9 of 13 sectors (see “Job Vacancies” tab on table above). Health care and social work (SIC Q) had the fastest monthly decline, at 0.91%, with 100 fewer open positions. On the other hand, accommodation and food services (SIC I) had the fastest and largest increase, adding 700 open positions (a monthly growth rate of 6.74%), significantly contributing to the overall job vacancy growth in February.

By nation and region: employment increased in all but one region of the UK

Small business employment increased the fastest in North East England, with a monthly growth rate of 0.58%, adding 700 jobs. London was the only region in the UK to see a decrease in employment in February, declining by 0.01% (-100 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 declined in 9 of 12 regions of the UK. North East England had the fastest decline, a monthly decrease of 0.47%. On the other end, North West England had the fastest and largest increase, adding 300 open positions in February, a monthly increase of 3.40%.

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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