Bytestart - The online small business portal
Search over 2000 Articles!


Comprehensive Online Business Insurance
Tailored PI, Office, Public and Employers' Liability Insurance.
Are you covered? Read our Essential PI Guide.
Get a Quote and buy online in minutes.


Pre-"crunch" statistics show record number of startups last year

 print  e-mail 

The latest Government statistics show that the number of VAT-registered enterprises grew by 3% during 2007, reaching over 2 million by the start of 2008.

The statistics, released by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) last week are regarded as the best official guide to the pattern of business start-ups and closures. They are an indicator of the level of entrepreneurship and of the health of the business population.

It goes without saying that, as these statistics relate to a time period before the economic downturn kicked in, we could well see a different picture of the health of business start-ups when the next statistics are released.

VAT Registrations - Key Points

  • The stock of VAT-registered enterprises increased by 57,900 (3%) during 2007, to reach 2.03 million at the start of 2008. There has been an increase in the stock of VAT-registered enterprises in every year since 1995, resulting in a 26 percent rise in the number of VAT registered businesses between the start of 1995 and the start of 2008.
  • In 2007, there were 205,700 new registrations - an increase of 13 percent on 2006 levels, and the highest number recorded since the series began in 1941. There were 147,800 de-registrations in 2007 - an increase of two per cent on 2006 levels.
  • All regions and countries, and all but two major industrial sectors (agriculture and manufacturing), saw an increase in the stock of VAT- registered enterprises in 2007. All regions and countries and most industrial sectors saw an increase in the number of VAT registrations compared with 2006, and most regions, countries and industrial sectors saw an increase in the number of de-registrations.
  • There have been increases in the stock of VAT-registered enterprises in every year since 1995, resulting in a 26 percent rise in the number of VAT registered businesses between the start of 1995 and the start of 2008.
  • The number of new registrations increased by 23,700 (13%) between 2006 and 2007 to 205,700, and the number of de-registrations increased by 3,500 (2%) over the same period to 147,800. This is the highest number of new registrations recorded in the period covered by the BERR publication (1994-2007). In 2007, there were 42 new registrations and 30 de-registrations for every 10,000 people aged 16 or over in the UK.
You can read the full results, in amazing detail, at the BERR site here.

Posted December 2, 2008


Easy Accountancy


Latest articles in Business Statistics
 
Rebound in optimism for small business owners
After 18 months of negative optimism, a Continental Research study suggests that confidence in both the general economy and own trading prospects is returning amongst small businesses. [June 23, 2009]
 
UK economy can expect a "slow and gradual" return to growth
Following the release of several 'upbeat' economic reports in recent weeks, the CBI says that the worst is over, but a return to growth is likely to be a subdued and gradual affair. [June 15, 2009]
 
Most small companies have not been profitable in 2009
New research shows that 19% of SMEs have not recorded a profit since the second quarter of 2008, and unsurprisingly 55% have not been profitable at all in 2009. [May 6, 2009]
 
Number of new enterprises remained steady in 2008
Statistics released by Barclays show that the number of new businesses set up during 2008 increased on 2007 levels, with female-run startups showing a 9% increase. [April 3, 2009]
 
UK small companies "more pessimistic" than overseas counterparts
Research from leading accountancy firm shows that small businesses in the UK are far more pessimistic than companies from the rest of the world about when the economy will recover. [March 27, 2009]
 
Business confidence may be showing first signs of recovery
A new report suggests that business confidence may have started to rise for the first time in over a year. However, the outlook for employment continues to fall. [March 3, 2009]
 
Pre-"crunch" statistics show record number of startups last year
The latest Government statistics show that the number of VAT-registered enterprises grew by 3% during 2007, reaching over 2 million by the start of 2008. [December 2, 2008]
 
Average family sees lifetime tax bill soar by 6% over past year
The TaxPayers' Alliance has published startling new research which shows that the average family faces a lifetime tax bill of £668,000 - a huge 6% rise on last year's figure. [October 7, 2008]
 
How many business enterprises are there in the UK?
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released its latest report on the number of registered businesses in the UK. There was a 3% rise in business enterprise numbers in the year to March 2008. [October 2, 2008]
 
Some businesses have seen their costs soar by 25% in one year
New research has revealed that 10% of businesses have seen their costs soar by over a quarter in the last twelve months. One quarter of UK companies have seen a 10% hike in their costs over the same period. [September 30, 2008]
 
Business confidence on the slide, but long term optimism remains
The latest National Business Survey shows that business confidence across the UK has been unsurprisingly shaken over the past year - with other half those surveyed expecting the economic climate to deteriorate for the next 12 months. [August 8, 2008]
 
Business administration numbers down on Q1 2008, but up on 2007
The business advisory firm, Deloitte, has announced its analysis of last quarter's business administration figures - which are down slightly on the Q1 2008, but still up overall compared to the same time last year. [July 31, 2008]
 
Family businesses and the UK economy – key statistics
New research from a major private bank has provided an interesting insight into the role family-run enterprises have in the UK economy. [July 25, 2008]
 
Small businesses in it for the long haul
New research suggests that small business owners are in it for the long haul, with 28% expecting to run their companies for over 25 years - longer than the average marriage in the UK. [July 11, 2008]
 
New business start-up numbers up defying "credit crunch" reports
New research from Barclays suggests that entrepreneurs are far from being discouraged by reports of an economic slowdown, with an estimated 98,000 new startups formed in the first three months of 2008. [June 24, 2008]
 
 Our Partners
Hiscox Office Insurance
Instant Online Quotation
Free Day-to-Day Banking
Abbey - 0800 085 3099
Barclays Business
Banking for Start-ups
Sole Trader Accounts
Just £30+VAT/month
Warehouse & Distribution
Solutions from Royal Mail
Form a Limited Company
Complete Online Service
Compare Quotes
Business Insurance Cover
2 Years FREE Banking
Alliance & Leicester

Click Here

 Key Services
£20 Free Postage
& 30 Day No Ties Trial
Virtual Office Service
For full details click here.
Crunch Online Accounts
Under £60 per month!
Public Liability Cover
Are You Insured?
Cashflow Problems?
Try Invoice Financing
Client Credit Checking
Online Company Reports
Broadband, Hosting & IT
Small Business Specialists

Click Here




News Archive Pages
1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 6 : 7 : 8 : 9 : 10 : 11 : 12 : 13 : 14 : 15 : 16 : 17 : 18 : 19 : 20 : 21