7 in 10 small businesses expect to see growth More than two thirds of small businesses expect to grow this year, according to a poll by accounting technology firm Sage. The analysis shows that SMEs, which represent 61% of UK jobs and 52% of national income, are thriving, with 68% forecasting growth this year compared with 57% in Germany and 62% in France. It was also found that 43% of UK firms expect a revenue rise in the next six months, with this just higher than the 39% in France and Germany. Half of UK SME leaders expect import and export problems to ease, outweighing the 27% who fear they will get worse.