Aim of this survey

The Monthly Survey of Consumer Credit Grantors is a survey of UK-based organisations that provide self-financed credit to individual consumers (excluding banks). The purpose of the survey is to measure the levels of consumer credit issued by these organisations.

Information on credit provided by banks is collected by the Bank of England. The data collected from this survey feeds into the National Accounts (including financial accounts) and the Bank of England's Bankstats tables, which can be used to analyse lending.

What you need to know

To complete the survey, you will need the following information:

  • balances, transactions and movements relating to self-financed credit granted to consumers

  • balances, transactions and movements relating to credit granted on self-financed credit cards

All information you provide is strictly confidential.

Survey information

Selection criteria: UK trading businesses or organisations, who are self-financed and licensed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to grant credit

Population: approximately 490

Sample: approximately 100

Frequency: monthly

Dispatch date: between 19 and 29 each month

Return-by date: between 6 and 9 each month

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

Why you were selected

Your business has been selected from a directory of businesses in the UK that are registered for Value Added Tax (VAT) and/or Pay As You Earn (PAYE) or with Companies House. Your response ensures we represent your industry.

The Monthly Survey of Consumer Credit Grantors 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.

Why you have received this survey

We survey businesses of all sizes to ensure our statistics are representative of the UK economy. We select large businesses (those with 100 plus employees) for any relevant ONS business surveys because their information is so significant.

We select some small and medium-sized businesses, usually for a set period of time, then replace them with other businesses from their industry. They are important to us as their trading patterns are often very different to large businesses.

How to complete this survey

The Monthly Survey of Consumer Credit Grantors has moved to our online Secure Data Collection platform.

We will write to you once the survey is available for you to complete online. Your letter will include a unique enrolment code and explain how to register and complete the survey.

Complete this survey online

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

If you need help

If your questions are not answered above, you may be able to find the answers on our About ONS business surveys page.

You can call us on 0300 1234 931. Please enter the three-digit survey ID 127.

From outside the UK: +44 1633 810495.

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

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