UK business sector expanding, figures show

Date: 24th May 2011

The number of businesses requiring assistance with their bookkeeping could be set to rise as the UK's private business sector expands.

Figures recently published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills have revealed an increase in the number of active UK businesses at the start of last year.

According to the report, the number of private businesses in the UK increased by 1.1 per cent (48,000) between the start of 2009 and the same period last year.

The figures showed that the start of last year saw 4.5 million private sector businesses in operation, employing roughly 22.5 million people.

Business and Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk said: "Private sector enterprises will create growth in our economy so it is encouraging to see that the number of businesses at the start of 2010 had increased. This was a difficult period, and these figures show the resilience of British business.

"I am determined that the government will do everything it can to create the right environment for these businesses to now expand and grow, and also to encourage more people to set up on their own."

Posted by Jacob Williams