There were 2.16 million business enterprises registered for VAT and/or PAYE in March 2008, compared to 2.10 million in March 2007, a 3.0 per cent increase.
Between March 2007 and March 2008 there was a continued move towards incorporation, and a reduction in the number of sole proprietors and partnerships.
• Corporate businesses (companies and public corporations) represent 56.6 per cent of total enterprises
• Sole proprietors represent 25.4 per cent of total enterprises
• Partnerships represent 14.1 per cent of total enterprises
• General government and non-profit making bodies represent 3.9 per cent of total enterprises
The property and business services sector accounts for the largest number of businesses with 31.9 per cent of all enterprises registered. This is followed by construction with 11.6 per cent of all enterprises registered, and then the retail sector with 9.2 per cent.
The distribution of enterprises by employment size band shows that 89.0 per cent had less than 10 employees, and 98.1 per cent had less than 50 employees. Large enterprises - those with 250 or more employees - accounted for only 0.4 per cent. Analysis by age shows that 17.4 per cent of businesses were under two years old, and 32.0 per cent were under four years old. 41.2 per cent of businesses were 10 or more years old.
For 2008 a wider definition of businesses has been used. The figures now include PAYE businesses that are not also registered for VAT, extending the scope from the previous VAT-based only tables. The 3.0 per cent increase in VAT and/or PAYE based enterprises between March 2007 and March 2008 is like for like and comparable with the increase in enterprises registered solely for VAT.
Source: Inter Departmental Business Register (IDBR), Office for National Statistics
Notes: For more detail on the change in coverage from VAT-based to VAT and/or PAYE based please see the background notes in the publication.
Interactive data showing the geographic distribution of local units (sites) by activity can be accessed using the links on the right hand side.
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Interactive UK Businesses map