Aim of this survey
The Business Insights and Conditions Survey is used widely to enable rapid response, and inform policy decisions, about issues impacting UK businesses and the economy. This includes topics relating to business resilience, financial performance, trade and your workforce.
What you need to know
This survey asks about the following topics:
- Trading status of your business
- Turnover
- Exporting and importing
- Supply chains
- Prices of materials, goods and services
- Stock and capital expenditure
- Business confidence
- Operational performance
This survey is refreshed every two weeks and the above listed information may change based upon latest requirements.
To avoid losing data and to help us provide real-time information please submit by the return by date, or at the latest before the next fortnightly survey goes live.
All information you provide is strictly confidential.
Survey information
Selection criteria: businesses from various industrial sectors and regions in the UK registered for Value Added Tax (VAT) and/or Pay As You Earn (PAYE).
Population: 2,281,179.
Sample: approximately 39,000.
Frequency: every two weeks.
Dispatch date: every other Monday (for example 22 February 2021).
Return-by date: every other Sunday (for example 7 March 2021).
Survey frequency, dispatch and return-by dates are a guide and are being regularly reviewed because of the changing circumstances.
Why we need these data
Information is being used by decision-makers to respond to issues impacting our economy and society.
Your participation provides a real-time understanding of how these economic factors are affecting your business, and other businesses like yours. All businesses are important. Your response helps to ensure that your industry is properly represented. Survey information may also be provided to other government departments, approved organisations, and approved researchers for statistical purposes only.
Why you have received this survey
Your information is important to us. We survey businesses of all sizes to ensure our statistics are representative of the UK economy.
How to complete this survey
You will have received a letter or email that explains how to complete this survey online. Please use your unique enrolment code to report your information.
If you are having any difficulties enrolling, please email us on surveys@ons.gov.uk or call us on 0300 303 5948 and provide your company name or email address. Please quote the three-digit survey ID code 283 if asked.
The survey is voluntary; but your co-operation in completing the questionnaire would be appreciated. We understand this may be a challenging time and thank you for your continued support.
How to find out more information
If your question is not answered on this page, you may be able to find the answer in the About ONS business surveys section.