Aim of this survey
The Quarterly Public Sector Employment Surveys (QPSES) comprise three surveys addressed to local government, the Civil Service and public bodies (mainly non-departmental public bodies and public corporations). The surveys collect information on the number of permanent and temporary employees in full- and part-time employment by the employees' sex. Information is collected on both a headcount and full-time equivalent basis. The data are used to measure the number of people employed in the UK public sector and are included as part of the public sector employment release and wider labour market statistics.
What you need to know
To complete the survey, you will need the following information:
number of male and female permanent employees working full-time, part-time and full-time equivalents
number of male and female temporary or casual employees working full-time, part-time and full-time equivalents
total number of employees
All information you provide is strictly confidential.
Survey information
Selection criteria: UK trading businesses registered for Value Added tax (VAT) and/or Pay As You Earn (PAYE) classified by Office for National Statistics (ONS) to the public sector.
Population: all local government across England and Wales
Sample: local authorities approximately 440
Frequency: quarterly
Dispatch (Go-live) dates
Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar): 12 March 2026
Quarter 2 (Apr to June): 11 June 2026
Quarter 3 (July to Sept): 10 September 2026
Quarter 4 (Oct to Dec): 10 December 2026
Return-by dates
Quarter 1: 24 March 2026
Quarter 2: 23 June 2026
Quarter 3: 22 September 2026
Quarter 4: 30 December 2026
Dispatch and return-by dates are a guide. They are subject to change due to national holidays and weekends.
Why you were selected
Your organisation has been selected from a directory of businesses in the UK that are registered for VAT and/or PAYE or with Companies House and classified by ONS to the public sector. Your response ensures that we represent your industry.
The Quarterly Public Sector Employment Survey 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.
How to complete this survey
If newly selected for this survey, your enrolment letter explains how to submit your data using our online collection system. Please use your unique enrolment code to report your information.
If you already have access to the survey questionnaire via our online collection system, simply click on the link below and input your email address and password.
If you need help
If your question is not answered above, you may be able to find the answer on the About ONS business surveys section.
You can call us on 0300 1234 931. Please enter the three-digit survey ID 160.
From outside the UK: +441633 810495.
Er mwyn gwneud cais am ffurflen Gymraeg (to speak to someone in Welsh): 0300 1234 911.