Economy

The over-50s and the world of work: what’s happening and why?

Categories: Economy

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had huge impacts on all aspects of life in the UK, including the world of work. Initially younger workers were the hardest hit, but as restrictions eased, a new picture has emerged – the apparent disengagement of many older workers. Hugh Stickland looks at the work the Office for National Statistics has been doing to help understand some of the factors underlying this.

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Understanding the latest changes to UK trade figures with the EU

Categories: Economy, ONS

The official trade figures for January 2022 show that the UK imported £24.1 billion of goods from the European Union and exported £11.6 billion in return. However, in understanding those figures, it’s important that users are aware of some changes to the way HM Revenue and Customs collect trade data. One effect of the developments in today’s release is significantly to reduce the January figure for UK exports to the EU. Matt Hughes explains the changes.

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Keeping track of the testing, tracing and vaccination programmes: How we’re including the pandemic response in GDP

Categories: Coronavirus, Data, Economy

The policy response to the pandemic required ONS to record and measure lots of new types of economic activity, such as the test, trace and vaccination programmes. Philip Wales looks at how we are ensuring their impact on the economy will be properly measured.

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Measuring the digital economy:  Adapting and Evolving  

Categories: Data, Economy, ONS
Shot of user on laptop also using a phone and with a credit card as if online shopping

For over a decade, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has provided vital insight into the UK digital economy, tracking development across E-commerce and ICT use, Internet Access, Internet Users and Sharing Economy. As the pandemic has transformed elements of how we conduct business and live our lives, Emma Reed talks about how the ONS is working to improve our measurement of the digital economy.   

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