UK Business: Activity, Size and Location 2010 - Summary

Number of VAT and/or PAYE based Enterprises

Source: Office for National Statistics

There were 2.10 million enterprises registered for VAT and/or PAYE in March 2010, compared to 2.15 million in March 2009, a 2.4 per cent decrease.

Between March 2009 and March 2010 there was a reduction in the number of sole proprietors, partnerships and corporate businesses

·          Corporate Businesses (companies and public corporations) represent 58.9 per cent of total enterprises, a proportional increase from 58.2 per cent in 2009

·          Sole Proprietors represent 23.8 per cent of total enterprises, a decrease from 24.4 per cent in 2009

·          Partnerships represent 13.2 per cent of total enterprises, a decrease from 13.5 per cent in 2009

·          General Government and Non-Profit Making Bodies represent 4.1 per cent of total enterprises, an increase from 4.0 per cent in 2009

The professional, scientific and technical sector accounts for the largest number of businesses with 15.4 per cent of all enterprises registered. This is followed by construction with 13.1 per cent of all enterprises registered and retail with 9.0 per cent.

The distribution of enterprises by employment size band shows that 88.6 per cent had an employment of less than 10, and 98.0 per cent had less than 50 employment. Large enterprises, those with 250 or greater employment, accounted for only 0.4 per cent.

Analysis by age shows that 14.3 per cent of businesses were under two years old, and 28.8 per cent were under four years old. A further 43.5 per cent of businesses were 10 or more years old.

All regions experienced a decrease in the number of businesses with the North West and the West Midlands experiencing the greatest decrease of 3.3 per cent each. Scotland experienced the smallest decrease of 0.8 per cent. London accounts for the largest number of businesses with 15.8 per cent followed by the South East and East regions at 15.7 per cent and 10.2 per cent respectively.

Source: Office for National Statistics

Background notes

1. Source: Inter Departmental Business Register (IDBR), Office for National Statistics
2. You may use or re-use the information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this license, visit http:/www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-license/ or write to the Information Polict Team, The National Archives Kew, London TW9 4DY, or wmail: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk
3. These National Statistics are produced to high professional standards and released according to the arrangements approved by the UK statistics Authority.

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