Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Index, October 2026

October 2026 UK jobs report highlights:

• UK small businesses employed 4,155,400 people in September 2026.

• Small business employment increased by 1,100 jobs compared to August, a monthly growth rate of 0.03%.

• Small business employment grew in 9 of 13 sectors, with arts, entertainment, and recreation seeing the fastest growth rate.

• Small business employment declined in 2 of 4 UK nations, with Wales seeing both the fastest decline and largest decrease.

• Within England, small business employment increased in 4 of 9 regions, with East of England seeing the fastest growth rate.

Small business employment: up by 1,100 jobs

Employment at UK small businesses with one to nine employees increased by 1,100 jobs in September compared to August — a growth of 0.03% month-over-month. These businesses now employ 4,155,400 people.

There are now 88,700 job vacancies at small businesses throughout the UK — a decrease of 1,100 positions, a monthly decline of 1.22%. Explore employment and vacancy data in the dashboard below.

By sector: employment grew in 9 of 13 sectors

Small business employment in the UK grew in 9 of the 13 sectors covered by the Small Business Index. Arts, entertainment, and recreation (SIC R) had the fastest growth, up 1.76%, while wholesale and retail (SIC G) had the largest increase, adding 3,500 jobs. On the other end, construction (SIC F) had both the fastest decline and largest decrease, falling 2.09% (-12,300 jobs).

Small business job vacancies declined in all 13 sectors. Arts, entertainment, and recreation (SIC R) had the fastest vacancy decline (-1.44%). Health care and social work (SIC Q) had the largest vacancy decrease (-200).

By nation and region: a mixed picture

Small business employment declined in 2 of 4 UK nations. Wales had both the fastest decline and largest decrease, falling 0.50% (-800 jobs). Scotland had both the fastest growth and largest increase, adding 1,600 jobs (+0.52%).

Within England, small business employment increased in 4 of the 9 regions. East of England had the fastest growth (+1.77%), while London had the largest increase (+11,000 jobs). South East England had both the fastest decline and largest decrease, falling 2.51% (-15,400 jobs).

Job vacancies declined in all 4 UK nations — Northern Ireland had the fastest decline (-1.45%), England had the largest decrease (-1,000). Within England, North East England had the fastest decline (-1.51%), while London had the largest decrease (-300).

Explore the data using the buttons and charts below

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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