Statistics:

• There are 4.8 million small businesses in the UK (up from 4 million in 2003)
• 3 million businesses are sole proprietors
• 1.3 million are companies
• 462,000 are partnerships
• 97 per cent of firms employ less than 20 people
• 95 per cent employ less than 5 people
• Over 500,000 people start up their own business every year
• Small and medium-sized firms employ more than 59.4 per cent of the private sector workforce
• 13.7 million people work in small and medium-sized firms
• Small firms contribute more than 50.1 per cent of the UK turnover
• 64 per cent of commercial innovations come from small firms
• 25 per cent of all private sector enterprises operate in Business Services
• 21 per cent of all private sector enterprises operate in Wholesale, Retail or Repairs
• Small firms collect and pay Tax, NICs, VAT and other dues which help pay for public services
• 33 per cent of all UK enterprises are in London and the South-East
• Over 2 million people run their small business from home
• Another 7.5 million people work for their boss from home

micro: 0-9 employees, small: 10-50 employees, medium: 50-249 employees

(updated May 2008)

Figures obtained from the Department for Business Innovation and Skills. Home working figures courtesy of Enteprise Nation.