HC Deb 22 October 2002 vol 391 c248W
Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer of 19 September 2002,Official Report, column 170W, on SMEs, when she expects the figures for 2001 to be made available; and if she will make a statement. [75216]

Nigel Griffiths

The 2001 figures are now available and include full-time and part-time employment.

Employment (thousands, start 2001)
Small (0–49 employees) Medium (50–249 employees) Large (250 + employees) Total
9,809 2,720 10,092 22,622

Sources:

Small and Medium Enterprise (SME)

Statistics for the United Kingdom 2001,

Small Business Service.

Small businesses, accounted for over 99 per cent. of businesses, about 43 per cent. of non-government employment and 36 per cent. of turnover. In contrast the 7,000 largest businesses accounted for 45 per cent. of non-government employment and 49 per cent. of turnover.

During 2000, employment in small businesses saw a rise in numbers in line with the UK increase of 2 per cent. Employment in medium sized business saw a 7 per cent. increase during the year, and large businesses saw a 1 per cent. increase.