Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Index, October 2025

Small business employment: up by 2,500 jobs

Employment at UK small businesses with one to nine employees increased by 2,500 jobs in September compared to August—a 0.06% growth rate month-over-month. These businesses now employ 4,208,600 people. See chart below.

Meanwhile, the number of job vacancies at small businesses decreased by 800 open positions in September—a monthly decline of 0.74%. There are now 111,200 job vacancies at small businesses throughout the UK. See “Total Job Vacancies” tab in the chart above.

By sector: Accommodation and food services drives employment growth

In September, small business employment in the UK increased in 6 of 13 sectors covered by the Index. Accommodation and food services (SIG I) had both the fastest growth (0.29%) and the largest increase (1,400 jobs). On the other end, arts, entertainment, and recreation (SIC R) had the fastest decline, at -0.16%, while professional services (SIC M) had the largest decrease (-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 also declined in 7 of the 13 sectors (see “Job Vacancies” tab on table above). The fastest decline (-14.95%) was in the accommodation and food services sector (SIC I). The fastest growth (1.57%) was in the real estate sector (SIC L). 

By nation and region: employment surges in Yorkshire & the Humber 

Small business employment increased in all 4 UK nations and in 4 of the 9 regions of England. Yorkshire & The Humber saw the fastest growth (0.49%) and largest increase in employment (1,500 jobs). On the other end, South West England had the fastest decline (-0.23%) and largest decrease (-900 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 across 3 nations and 6 regions of England. Northern Ireland had the fastest decline (-3.68%) while Scotland had the fastest growth (2.34%). 

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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