Small business 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