1. General government

The general government sector is made up of those units providing services for collective or individual consumption that are not sold at market prices. These units are usually funded by compulsory payments from units in other sectors (taxes) and may be involved in the redistribution of national income (for example, benefits and state pension).

The sector includes, for example, government departments and agencies, local authorities, the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the state education system, the National Health Service, the armed forces and the police. Non-departmental public bodies are also included in the general government sector.

The United Kingdom National Accounts: The Blue Book 2014 presents estimates for the general government sector and sub-sector breakdowns for:

  • central government

  • local government

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.Further information

Further information on sector classifications and classification decisions can be found in the National Accounts Classification section of the Office for National Statistics website.

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.Background notes

  1. Details of the policy governing the release of new data are available by visiting www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/assessment/code-of-practice/index.html or from the Media Relations Office email: media.relations@ons.gov.uk

    These National Statistics are produced to high professional standards and released according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority.

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Contact details for this Compendium

Catherine Marks
blue.book.coordination@ons.gov.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)1633 455983