What the evidence means
The Longitudinal Small Business Survey interviewed 8,396 SME employers with 1 to 249 employees. This is an intention, not a forecast of realised growth.
Survey of UK businesses with 1 to 249 employees.
G&G verified business evidence
UK SME employers aiming to grow sales from 2024
In 2024, 71% of UK SME employers aimed to grow their sales over the following three years.
71
percent
Original source
Department for Business and Trade
Longitudinal Small Business Survey 2024: SME employers
The growth section reports that 71% of SME employers aimed to grow sales over three years.
View original evidence
Department for Business and Trade. Longitudinal Small Business Survey 2024: SME employers. 25th of September, 2025. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/small-business-survey-2024-businesses-with-employees/longitudinal-small-business-survey-2024-sme-employers-businesses-with-1-to-249-employees
Why this matters to UK SMEs
This shows how common medium-term growth ambition is among UK employer SMEs. It can provide context for strategic planning and investment decisions, while distinguishing an ambition from a forecast or committed plan.
Key breakdowns
The 71% UK figure was down from 75% in 2023 and 74% in 2022. Growth ambition was reported by 67% of micro employers, 85% of small employers and 89% of medium-sized employers. It was highest in arts and entertainment (82%), administration (78%), retail and wholesale (77%), accommodation and food (77%) and manufacturing (75%). It was lower in primary industries (60%), other services (62%), construction (63%), health (64%) and professional and scientific businesses (65%). Northern Ireland recorded 74%; England, Scotland and Wales each recorded 71%.
How to interpret this evidence
Growth ambition remained widespread, especially among small and medium-sized employers, but was less common than in the previous two years. The gap between ambition and the much lower share expecting sales growth over the next 12 months suggests that many businesses viewed growth as a medium-term objective rather than an immediate outcome.
Limitations
This is a weighted telephone-survey result for private-sector businesses with 1 to 249 employees and excludes non-employers. It records an intention to grow sales over three years, not a quantified target, funded plan or realised outcome. Answers may change with trading conditions. Subgroup estimates have sampling uncertainty and rounded percentages.
Practical considerations
G&G perspective: translate ambition into a timed plan covering target customers, capacity, skills, finance and measurable milestones. Test whether the business can fund working capital during growth and define what profitable growth means. Review the plan against actual sales and margin performance rather than treating stated ambition as evidence of delivery.