Office for National Statistics, United Kingdom

Turnover Turnover provided to the ONS for the majority of traders is based on VAT returns for a 12 month period. For 2016 this relates to a 12 month period covering the financial year 2014/2015. For other records, in particular members of VAT group registrations, turnover may relate to an earlier period or to survey data. For traders who have registered more recently, turnover represents the estimate made by traders at the time of registration.  The turnover figures on the register generally exclude VAT but include other taxes, such as the revenue duties on alcoholic drinks and tobacco. They represent total UK turnover, including exempt and zero-rated supplies. Employment The employment information on the IDBR is drawn mainly from the Business Register Employment Survey (BRES). Because this is based on a sample of enterprises, estimates from previous returns and from other ONS surveys have also been used. For the smallest units, either PAYE jobs or employment imputed from VAT turnover is used.

Monthly movements in output for the services industries: distribution, hotels and restaurants; transport, storage and communication; business services and finance; and government and other services.