Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Index, September 2026

September 2026 UK jobs report highlights:

• UK small businesses employed 4,154,800 people in August 2026.

• Small business employment increased by 700 jobs compared to July, a monthly growth rate of 0.02%.

• Employment increased in 9 of 13 sectors; real estate had the fastest growth.

• Employment declined in 3 of 4 UK nations; Scotland had the fastest decline.

• Employment increased in 6 of 9 regions of England; West Midlands had both the fastest growth and largest increase.

• Job vacancies at small businesses increased by 300 open positions in August—a monthly growth rate of 0.33%.

Small business employment: up by 700 jobs

Employment at UK small businesses with one to nine employees increased by 700 jobs in August compared to July—a growth of 0.02% month-over-month. These businesses now employ 4,154,800 people. See chart below.

There are now 95,500 job vacancies at small businesses throughout the UK—an increase of 300 positions, a monthly growth of 0.33%. See "Total Job Vacancies" tab in the chart above.

By sector: employment increased in 9 of 13 sectors

Small business employment in the UK increased in 9 of the 13 sectors covered by the Small Business Index. Wholesale and retail trades (SIC G) had the largest increase, adding 4,700 jobs (+0.56%). Real estate (SIC L) had the fastest growth (+1.74%). On the other end, accommodation and food services (SIC I) had both the fastest decline and largest decrease, falling 2.62% (-11,700 jobs).

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

Small business job vacancies grew in 7 of 13 sectors. Information and communication (SIC J) had the fastest vacancy growth (+4.02%). Transport and storage (SIC H) had the fastest vacancy decline (-6.20%).

By nation and region: a mixed picture

Small business employment declined in 3 of 4 UK nations. Scotland had both the fastest decline and largest decrease, falling 0.49% (-1,500 jobs). Wales also declined, down 600 jobs (-0.35%), and Northern Ireland declined slightly (-0.04%, no net jobs change after rounding). England was the only nation to grow, adding 2,800 jobs (+0.08%).

Within England, small business employment increased in 6 of the 9 regions. West Midlands had both the fastest growth (+2.79%) and the largest increase (+8,700 jobs). East of England had the largest decrease (-6,800 jobs), while Yorkshire & The Humber had the fastest decline (-1.76%).

Use the green buttons on the map below to see the number of jobs or open positions at small businesses by nation and region.

Job vacancies increased in 3 of 4 UK nations—Scotland had the fastest growth (+0.66%). Northern Ireland was the only nation to decline (-5.88%). Within England, North East had the fastest growth (+3.71%), while East of England was the only region to decline (-2.43%).

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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