{ "name": "comparetradesoftware.com UK Trade Business Population", "title": "UK Trade Business Population", "url": "https://comparetradesoftware.com/datasets/uk-trade-business-population/", "csv": "https://comparetradesoftware.com/datasets/uk-trade-business-population.csv", "markdown": "https://comparetradesoftware.com/datasets/uk-trade-business-population/index.md", "computed_at": "2026-11-12", "license": "https://comparetradesoftware.com/terms", "headline": "The UK Trade Business Population carries 10 published figures read from 3 sources' own pages; the 7 published figures given by measure run from 0.20 to 4.10 percent, read 11 November 2026.", "quotes": [ "The UK Trade Business Population carries 10 published figures read from 3 sources' own pages; the 7 published figures given by measure run from 0.20 to 4.10 percent, read 11 November 2026.", "3 of the 6 named sources read in full publish a figure; 3 publish none, read 11 November 2026.", "UK Trade Business Population, measure local units (sites), annual increase: median 0.20 percent across 1 source, read 11 November 2026.", "UK Trade Business Population, measure VAT and/or PAYE businesses, annual increase: median 0.40 percent across 1 source, read 11 November 2026.", "UK Trade Business Population, measure companies, annual increase: median 1.80 percent across 1 source, read 11 November 2026.", "UK Trade Business Population, measure sole proprietors, annual decrease: median 4.10 percent across 1 source, read 11 November 2026.", "UK Trade Business Population, measure construction output, three-month fall: median 0.50 percent across 1 source, read 11 November 2026.", "UK Trade Business Population, measure private sector business population, annual increase: median 3.50 percent across 1 source, read 11 November 2026.", "UK Trade Business Population, measure employing businesses, annual increase: median 0.40 percent across 1 source, read 11 November 2026.", "UK Trade Business Population, size band companies, share of all UK businesses: median 76.70 percent across 1 source, read 11 November 2026.", "UK Trade Business Population, size band single-employee limited companies, share of companies: median 44 percent across 1 source, read 11 November 2026.", "UK Trade Business Population, nation Northern Ireland, VAT and/or PAYE businesses, annual increase: median 1.50 percent across 1 source, read 11 November 2026." ], "citation": "\"comparetradesoftware.com UK Trade Business Population\", updated 2026-11-12, https://comparetradesoftware.com/datasets/uk-trade-business-population/.", "changed_since": null, "national": { "unit": "%", "n": 10, "units": { "%": 10 }, "published_sources": 3, "named_sources": 6, "read_sources": 6, "not_published": 3, "published_share": 0.5, "pooled": "withheld: these figures differ by breakdown and are never summarised together; see headline_figure and by_axis" }, "headline_figure": { "kind": "range", "label": "Range by measure", "unit": "%", "n": 7, "min": 0.2, "max": 4.1, "breakdown": { "axis": "measure" }, "sources": 3 }, "by_axis": { "measure": { "local units (sites), annual increase": { "%": { "n": 1, "median": 0.2, "min": 0.2, "max": 0.2, "p25": 0.2, "p75": 0.2, "mean": 0.2 } }, "VAT and/or PAYE businesses, annual increase": { "%": { "n": 1, "median": 0.4, "min": 0.4, "max": 0.4, "p25": 0.4, "p75": 0.4, "mean": 0.4 } }, "companies, annual increase": { "%": { "n": 1, "median": 1.8, "min": 1.8, "max": 1.8, "p25": 1.8, "p75": 1.8, "mean": 1.8 } }, "sole proprietors, annual decrease": { "%": { "n": 1, "median": 4.1, "min": 4.1, "max": 4.1, "p25": 4.1, "p75": 4.1, "mean": 4.1 } }, "construction output, three-month fall": { "%": { "n": 1, "median": 0.5, "min": 0.5, "max": 0.5, "p25": 0.5, "p75": 0.5, "mean": 0.5 } }, "private sector business population, annual increase": { "%": { "n": 1, "median": 3.5, "min": 3.5, "max": 3.5, "p25": 3.5, "p75": 3.5, "mean": 3.5 } }, "employing businesses, annual increase": { "%": { "n": 1, "median": 0.4, "min": 0.4, "max": 0.4, "p25": 0.4, "p75": 0.4, "mean": 0.4 } } }, "size band": { "companies, share of all UK businesses": { "%": { "n": 1, "median": 76.7, "min": 76.7, "max": 76.7, "p25": 76.7, "p75": 76.7, "mean": 76.7 } }, "single-employee limited companies, share of companies": { "%": { "n": 1, "median": 44, "min": 44, "max": 44, "p25": 44, "p75": 44, "mean": 44 } } }, "nation": { "Northern Ireland, VAT and/or PAYE businesses, annual increase": { "%": { "n": 1, "median": 1.5, "min": 1.5, "max": 1.5, "p25": 1.5, "p75": 1.5, "mean": 1.5 } } } }, "rows": [ { "source": "ONS: UK business - activity, size and location, 2025", "url": "https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/business/activitysizeandlocation/bulletins/ukbusinessactivitysizeandlocation/2025", "figure": "0.2%", "value": 0.2, "unit": "%", "vat": null, "axis": { "measure": "local units (sites), annual increase" }, "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "quote": "There were 3.2 million sites (local units) in the UK as of March 2025, an increase of 0.2% from 2024; this is the first increase in the number of sites since 2021.", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "b3bb19c03c0ae0dde0c57c24c8820386fa089bb3f8ab1ebf34e90268b4191583" }, { "source": "ONS: UK business - activity, size and location, 2025", "url": "https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/business/activitysizeandlocation/bulletins/ukbusinessactivitysizeandlocation/2025", "figure": "0.4%", "value": 0.4, "unit": "%", "vat": null, "axis": { "measure": "VAT and/or PAYE businesses, annual increase" }, "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "quote": "Figure 1: The number of VAT and/or PAYE businesses in the UK increased by 0.4% in the past year", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "b3bb19c03c0ae0dde0c57c24c8820386fa089bb3f8ab1ebf34e90268b4191583" }, { "source": "ONS: UK business - activity, size and location, 2025", "url": "https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/business/activitysizeandlocation/bulletins/ukbusinessactivitysizeandlocation/2025", "figure": "1.8%", "value": 1.8, "unit": "%", "vat": null, "axis": { "measure": "companies, annual increase" }, "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "quote": "Between March 2024 and March 2025, the number of companies increased by 1.8%.", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "b3bb19c03c0ae0dde0c57c24c8820386fa089bb3f8ab1ebf34e90268b4191583" }, { "source": "ONS: UK business - activity, size and location, 2025", "url": "https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/business/activitysizeandlocation/bulletins/ukbusinessactivitysizeandlocation/2025", "figure": "4.1%", "value": 4.1, "unit": "%", "vat": null, "axis": { "measure": "sole proprietors, annual decrease" }, "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "quote": "Sole proprietors decreased by 4.1%.", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "b3bb19c03c0ae0dde0c57c24c8820386fa089bb3f8ab1ebf34e90268b4191583" }, { "source": "ONS: construction industry", "url": "https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/constructionindustry", "figure": "0.5%", "value": 0.5, "unit": "%", "vat": null, "axis": { "measure": "construction output, three-month fall" }, "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "quote": "Total construction output is estimated to have fallen by 0.5% in the three months to July 2026; this follows four consecutive increases in the three-monthly series, with strong growth seen in the three months to April and May, of 1.3% and 1.5%, respectively.", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "658b7cfa977e16b17e54f2a03fcd3a62da8dfdc9a3025c9335518f0395128151" }, { "source": "DBT: Business population estimates for the UK and regions 2025", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/business-population-estimates-2025/business-population-estimates-for-the-uk-and-regions-2025-statistical-release", "figure": "3.5%", "value": 3.5, "unit": "%", "vat": null, "axis": { "measure": "private sector business population, annual increase" }, "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "quote": "Compared with 2024, the private sector business population has increased by 3.5% (191,000 businesses)", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "48a657165580b3149d7bb0e3d153261c1828640d4f019e84e0a3ade8498ac52c" }, { "source": "DBT: Business population estimates for the UK and regions 2025", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/business-population-estimates-2025/business-population-estimates-for-the-uk-and-regions-2025-statistical-release", "figure": "0.4%", "value": 0.4, "unit": "%", "vat": null, "axis": { "measure": "employing businesses, annual increase" }, "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "quote": "numbers of employing businesses increased by 5,000 (0.4%), while non-employing business numbers decreased by 295,000 (6.5%)", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "48a657165580b3149d7bb0e3d153261c1828640d4f019e84e0a3ade8498ac52c" }, { "source": "ONS: UK business - activity, size and location, 2025", "url": "https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/business/activitysizeandlocation/bulletins/ukbusinessactivitysizeandlocation/2025", "figure": "76.7%", "value": 76.7, "unit": "%", "vat": null, "axis": { "size band": "companies, share of all UK businesses" }, "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "quote": "The proportion of companies has continued to rise and now represents 76.7% of total UK businesses.", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "b3bb19c03c0ae0dde0c57c24c8820386fa089bb3f8ab1ebf34e90268b4191583" }, { "source": "ONS: UK business - activity, size and location, 2025", "url": "https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/business/activitysizeandlocation/bulletins/ukbusinessactivitysizeandlocation/2025", "figure": "44.0%", "value": 44, "unit": "%", "vat": null, "axis": { "size band": "single-employee limited companies, share of companies" }, "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "quote": "Of the 2.1 million companies, 44.0% are single-employee limited companies.", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "b3bb19c03c0ae0dde0c57c24c8820386fa089bb3f8ab1ebf34e90268b4191583" }, { "source": "ONS: UK business - activity, size and location, 2025", "url": "https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/business/activitysizeandlocation/bulletins/ukbusinessactivitysizeandlocation/2025", "figure": "1.5%", "value": 1.5, "unit": "%", "vat": null, "axis": { "nation": "Northern Ireland, VAT and/or PAYE businesses, annual increase" }, "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "quote": "The biggest percentage increase in the number of businesses between 2024 and 2025 was in Northern Ireland, which saw an increase of 1.5% (1,150 businesses).", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "b3bb19c03c0ae0dde0c57c24c8820386fa089bb3f8ab1ebf34e90268b4191583" } ], "not_published": [ { "source": "ONS: business demography 2025 release", "url": "https://www.ons.gov.uk/releases/businessdemography2025", "retrieved_at": "2026-10-11", "reason": "read in full and no accepted figure on the page" }, { "source": "MHCLG: competent person schemes, current schemes and how they are authorised", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/guidance/competent-person-scheme-current-schemes-and-how-schemes-are-authorised", "retrieved_at": "2026-11-11", "reason": "read in full and no accepted figure on the page" }, { "source": "Gas Safe Register: At a Glance report 2024/25", "url": "https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/media/vvafbj2v/2024-25-gas-safe-register-at-a-glance-report.pdf", "retrieved_at": "2026-09-12", "reason": "every candidate on the page was refused" } ], "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/business-population-estimates-2025/business-population-estimates-for-the-uk-and-regions-2025-statistical-release", "label": "DBT: Business population estimates for the UK and regions 2025", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/business/activitysizeandlocation/bulletins/ukbusinessactivitysizeandlocation/2025", "label": "ONS: UK business - activity, size and location, 2025", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/constructionindustry", "label": "ONS: construction industry", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.ons.gov.uk/releases/businessdemography2025", "label": "ONS: business demography 2025 release", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.gov.uk/guidance/competent-person-scheme-current-schemes-and-how-schemes-are-authorised", "label": "MHCLG: competent person schemes, current schemes and how they are authorised", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/media/vvafbj2v/2024-25-gas-safe-register-at-a-glance-report.pdf", "label": "Gas Safe Register: At a Glance report 2024/25", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" } ], "methodology": "Every row is a verbatim sentence read from the named source's own page through our fetch service on the date shown, hash-pinned to the stored read (the sha of the page's visible text; the raw page is mirrored to R2). 3 of the 6 named sources that could be read published a usable figure; 3 published none and are recorded as not published, never filled in; 0 could not be read (blocked, dead or unreachable) and count nowhere. The headline figures (median, minimum, maximum, quartiles) are over ONE figure per source for each breakdown it prices, in % (a source's median where its page yielded several accepted sentences for one breakdown), so a page that gives figures for several breakdowns gives one for each and N counts 10 figures, never sentences; 62 candidate sentence(s) were refused by a reviewer with the reason recorded. The fuller derivation this dataset is chartered to grow into (not yet what the figures above are; they are each source's own published figure as read): the denominator: private-sector businesses by SIC division and employment size band from the business population estimates, the VAT/PAYE count from ONS, and the registered-engineer counts from each scheme, joined into one series per trade with the sole-trader share - which is the number that decides whether per-user pricing or per-business pricing wins a market; changed-since on each annual release", "embed": "

0.20 to 4.10 percent

7 of 10 published figures (measure), UK Trade Business Population, across 3 sources, read 11 November 2026

Source: comparetradesoftware.com UK Trade Business Population
" }