Survey was conducted among small and medium businesses with employees. Three categories were distinguished, based on employees numbers: micro businesses (1 to 9 employees), small businesses (10 to 49 employees) and medium businesses (50 to 250 employees).
In a survey conducted between October 2024 and May 2025, small and medium enterprise (SME) employers in the United Kingdom (UK) were asked if they were using any of the given types of external finance for their businesses. The largest share of respondents (** percent) stated that they used credit cards. A further ** percent of SME employers stated that they used bank overdraft facilities for their businesses in 2024.
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GOV.UK. (September 26, 2025). Types of external finance currently being used by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with employees in the United Kingdom in 2024 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Retrieved July 31, 2026, from /statistics/911915/external-finance-used-by-smes-united-kingdom/
GOV.UK. "Types of external finance currently being used by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with employees in the United Kingdom in 2024." Chart. September 26, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Accessed July 31, 2026. /statistics/911915/external-finance-used-by-smes-united-kingdom/
GOV.UK. (2025). Types of external finance currently being used by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with employees in the United Kingdom in 2024. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 31, 2026. /statistics/911915/external-finance-used-by-smes-united-kingdom/
GOV.UK. "Types of External Finance Currently Being Used by Small and Medium Enterprises (Smes) with Employees in The United Kingdom in 2024." ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc., 26 Sep 2025, /statistics/911915/external-finance-used-by-smes-united-kingdom/
GOV.UK, Types of external finance currently being used by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with employees in the United Kingdom in 2024 ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, /statistics/911915/external-finance-used-by-smes-united-kingdom/ (last visited July 31, 2026)
Types of external finance currently being used by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with employees in the United Kingdom in 2024 [Graph], GOV.UK, September 26, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/911915/external-finance-used-by-smes-united-kingdom/