Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Index, September 2025

Small business employment: up by 16,500 jobs

Employment at UK small businesses with one to nine employees increased by 16,500 jobs in August compared to July — a 0.39% growth rate month-over-month. These businesses now employ 4,206,100 people. See chart below.

Meanwhile, the number of job vacancies at small businesses decreased in August, with a monthly decline of 0.70%. There are now 108,200 job vacancies at small businesses throughout the UK. See “Total Job Vacancies” tab in the chart above.

By sector: small business employment increased in 10 of 13 sectors

Small business employment in August increased in 10 of the 13 sectors tracked by the Index. The largest increase (7,300 jobs) was in the wholesale and retail trades sector (SIC G). The information and communication sector (SIG J) had the fastest growth (1.55%), increasing by 3,000 jobs. 

Among the three sectors that saw a reduction in small business employment, the fastest decline (-2.27%) and largest decrease (-10,600 jobs) was in the accommodation and food services sector (SIC I). 

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

Small business job vacancies decreased in 10 of the 13 sectors (see “Job Vacancies” tab on table above). The fastest decline (-2.83%) was in the administrative and support services sector (SIC N). The fastest growth (7.12%) was in the real estate sector (SIC L).

By nation and region: employment increased fastest in South West England

Small business employment increased in 2 of the 4 UK nations and in 7 of the 9 regions of England. Regionally, South West England had the largest increase (6,800 jobs) and fastest employment growth (1.85%). On the other end, Yorkshire & The Humber saw the largest decrease (-4,300 jobs) and fastest decline in employment (-1.43%).

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 decreased across nearly all nations and regions of the UK. Wales was the only exception, with a growth rate of 0.19%. On the other end, East Midlands had the fastest decline (-1.80%).

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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