UK business start-ups fall 3.5% while closures ease slightly
The UK Office for National Statistics reports that 69,895 new businesses were added to its Inter-Departmental Business Register in July to September 2026, 3.5% fewer than a year earlier. The register is the official list the government uses to track businesses, so a new entry is a business starting up. Over the same period, 63,035 businesses were removed from the register, 1.1% fewer than in July to September 2025.
What does it mean?
Fewer new businesses were registered in the UK in the summer of 2026 than a year before, and slightly fewer businesses shut down. The figures suggest the number of firms starting up is shrinking a little while closures are roughly steady.
Who is affected?
People starting or running businesses in the UK, especially in health and social care and in accommodation and food services.