Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Index, May 2025

Small business employment: down by 24,900 jobs

Employment at UK small businesses with one to nine employees decreased by 24,900 jobs in April compared to March. These businesses now employ 4,216,700 people—a 0.59% decrease month-over-month. This sudden decline concludes four consecutive months of employment growth for UK small businesses. See chart below.

The number of job vacancies at small businesses also decreased in April, with a monthly decrease of 0.03%. There are now 132,000 job vacancies at small businesses throughout the UK. See “Total Job Vacancies” tab in the chart above.

By sector: small business employment increased in 9 of 13 sectors

Despite an overall dip, small business employment in April increased in 9 of the 13 sectors tracked by the Index. Most of the employment loss in April can be attributed to sectors not currently tracked by this Index due to sample size limitations. Of the sectors tracked, finance and insurance (SIC K) had the fastest increase, with a monthly growth rate of 4.16%, adding 2,400 jobs. Accommodation and food services (SIC I) saw the largest decrease, declining by 5,000 jobs (a 1.01% decrease). 

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

Meanwhile, small business job vacancies decreased in 9 of the 13 sectors (see “Job Vacancies” tab on table above). Finance and insurance (SIC K) had the fastest monthly decrease, at 0.55%. Administrative and support services (SIC N) had the fastest increase, with a monthly vacancy growth rate of 1.47%.

By nation and region: employment falls significantly in Scotland

Small business employment increased in 7 of the 12 regions of the UK. Employment increased the fastest in London, with a monthly growth rate of 0.20%, adding 1,100 jobs. However, Scotland saw a significant decline in small business employment in April, decreasing by -8,600 jobs (a 3.86% decline 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 increased across most regions of the UK. North East England had the fastest increase, with a monthly growth rate ‌of 2.34%. On the other end, Wales saw the fastest decrease, with 100 fewer open positions (a 3.01% decline).

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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