Aim of this survey

The Quarterly Survey for Services Producer Price Index (SPPI) monitors prices charged for services provided by UK businesses to other UK businesses and the government for a limited range of services industries. SPPI provides an important measure of inflation, alongside other indicators such as the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) and the Producer Price Index (PPI). The Treasury and the Bank of England use the information in their assessments of the UK economy. The index is a useful information tool for UK businesses for purposes such as monitoring price changes across various services sector industries.

What you need to know

To complete the survey, you will need to provide price data for the detailed service(s) you have previously selected. The data will be required on a quarterly basis.

The data quoted should:

  • be a price, percentage rate, or applicable grade(s) for the service provisions that are active on a quarterly basis  

  • reflect an activity that is representative of your business in your chosen category

All information you provide is strictly confidential.

Survey information

Selection criteria: UK trading businesses registered for VAT and/or PAYE

Population: UK businesses that provide a service

Sample: approximately 4,000 price quotations

Frequency: quarterly
 

Dispatch dates

Between 19th and 20th of each quarter

Quarter 1 – mid January

Quarter 2 – mid April

Quarter 3 – mid July

Quarter 4 – mid October

Return-by dates

Between 16th and 18th of each quarter

Quarter 1 – mid February

Quarter 2 – mid May

Quarter 3 – mid August

Quarter 4 – mid November

Dispatch and return-by dates are a guide. They are subject to change due to national holidays and weekends.  

Why you were selected  

Following the information you provided on the Annual Survey of Goods and Services, your company has been chosen to supply information to us as we believe it meets the selection criteria of the survey. That is, a UK company or group of companies registered for Value Added Tax (VAT) and/or Pay As You Earn (PAYE).

The SPPI is conducted under the provisions of the Statistics of Trade Act 1947. Once selected, your business is legally obliged to comply. You cannot appeal your selection.   

How to complete this survey  

Your questionnaire explains how to submit your data using our freephone Telephone Data Entry system. Please use your unique Respondent Identification Number and call 0800 0858167 to report your information.

Alternatively, please complete and return the paper questionnaire following the guidelines on the front page.

Reminders are issued automatically, so you may receive one if you submit data just before or after the return date.

At the moment this survey is not available to complete online. We are currently developing a secure online collection platform. You will receive a letter notifying you when you can complete the SPPI on our new platform. We appreciate your patience.

If you need help

If your question is not answered on this page, you may be able to find the answer in the About Office for National Statistics (ONS) business surveys section.

You can call us on 0300 1234 928. Please quote the three-digit survey ID: 061

From outside the UK: +44 1633 810495.

Er mwyn gwneud cais am ffurflen Gymraeg (to speak to someone in Welsh): 0300 1234 921.