Local Authorities

Data available

Data for local authorities is based at two levels:

business level
local unit (site) level

Variables available are:

reference
name
address
postcode
employees
employment
classification - UK SIC2003
classification - UK SIC2007
main county district ward

Middle Super Output area

Note: on the local unit file male/female, full-time/ part-time split is provided where available

Legal issues

Local authorities within the meaning of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 can have the following for planning and training purposes:

Information protected by Statistics of Trade Act 1947 - disclosure permitted by Employment and Training Act 1973 - as amended by Employment Act 1988
Information protected by Finance Act 1969 - disclosure permitted by Finance Act (No 2) 1987

Planning Authorities requesting data can request all the above information relating to local units plus all other businesses based on PAYE.

Each GB Local/Planning authority can have data relating to its purposes: this may be its own area, or another area, or GB or UK.

It would have to be necessary for their purposes. They would have to explain, in some cases due to the nature of the work they are planning, that they may need data for surrounding areas and/or their area.

Disclosive data can only be released to authorised outside bodies and contractors working for government departments via the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994..

A form must be signed which confirms that:

the data will only be used for the purpose agreed with ONS
the data will be kept secure
the data will not be disclosed to any third party without ONS's permission
legal sanctions against unlawful disclosure will be imposed

Other issues

Charges

Current ONS charges are £150 per district (plus vat if required electronically).

Timeliness of data

Data are taken from an extract which is taken from the IDBR in September of each year.

Release of data

Data can be sent as disk or CD. Disclosive data cannot be sent by email or fax because of confidentiality issues.

Once data has been passed from ONS, it becomes the responsibility of the recipient.

If confidential data is being passed to a third party under contract, then ONS wishes to see all legal contracts before releasing the data.

Dispatch of data

We aim to dispatch the standard analysis within two weeks from confirmation of job.

Security

The physical security of the data will be maintained at all times. No disclosive information will be sent by fax or email.

All data must be double enveloped and sent via Royal Mail Special Delivery or courier.

How to request data

Please email IDBRDAS@ons.gsi.gov.uk

with the following details:

name
address
telephone number
email Address
description of data to be requested
indication if this submission follows on from a previous request

For further information on Local Authority data from the IDBR please email: IDBRDAS@ons.gsi.gov.uk.