Where do the BERR statistics come from?
The main source we use is the Inter Departmental Business Register – a database of UK firms maintained by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). It holds records of all businesses that are registered for VAT and all businesses operating a PAYE scheme. Careful monitoring of the Register is used to minimise double counting. For each business the IDBR has a record of employment, turnover and type/sector.Inter-Departmental Business Register The SME Statistics also use information from the ONS’ Labour Force Survey and HM Revenue and Customs’ Survey of Personal Incomes. A methodology note explaining how the SME statistics are produced is available on the SME Statistics webpage. A methodology note explaining how the VAT statistics are produced is available on the VAT statistics webpage.
