Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Index, March 2026

March 2026 UK jobs report highlights:

• UK small businesses employed 4,149,700 people in February 2026.

• Small business employment decreased by 300 jobs compared to January, a monthly decline of 0.01%.

• Employment increased in 9 of 13 sectors, with arts, entertainment, and recreation seeing the fastest growth.

• Employment increased in 2 of 4 UK nations, and in 5 of 9 regions of England.

• Job vacancies at small businesses decreased by 2,300 open positions in February—a monthly decline of 2.05%.

Small business employment: down by 300 jobs

Employment at UK small businesses with one to nine employees decreased by 300 jobs in February compared to January—a 0.01% decline month-over-month. These businesses now employ 4,149,700 people. See chart below.

The number of job vacancies at small businesses decreased by 2,300 open positions in February—a monthly decline of 2.05%. There are now 111,700 job vacancies at small businesses throughout the UK. See “Total Job Vacancies” tab in the chart above.

By sector: Despite an overall decline, nine sectors saw employment growth

Despite the overall decline in February, small business employment in the UK increased in nine of the 13 sectors covered by the Small Business Index. The arts, entertainment, and recreation sector (SIC R) had the fastest growth (1.75%) while manufacturing (SIC C) and health care and social work (SIC Q) had the largest increases, adding 1,800 jobs each. On the other end, professional services (SIC M) had the fastest decline (-0.63%), decreasing by 3,600 jobs.

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 all 13 sectors (see “Job Vacancies” tab in table above). The fastest decline (-2.85%) was in the manufacturing sector (SIC C). 

By nation and region: employment is a mixed picture due to strong growth in some areas of the UK but steep declines in others

Small business employment decreased in two of the four UK nations and in five of the nine regions of England. By nation, Northern Ireland saw the fastest decline (-0.37%), decreasing by 300 jobs. On the other end, Wales had the fastest increase (1.01%), adding 1,500 jobs.

• Within England, employment surged in the South East (adding 6,100 jobs) and North West (adding 4,800 jobs). However, larger declines in Yorkshire & The Humber, the South West, East of England, and London contributed to an overall employment decline for the nation (-0.06%) and a net loss of 2,100 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 all four UK nations and in all nine regions of England. Of the nations, Scotland had the fastest decline (-2.68%). Within England, the North East had the fastest decline (-2.73%).

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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