Monthly Business Survey – Construction and allied trades

Aim of this survey

The Monthly Business Survey (MBS) is a survey of businesses within the construction and allied trades sector in Great Britain. The survey collects information about the value of work undertaken by UK businesses on new housing, new infrastructure, other new construction projects, and repair and maintenance during the month. Information about employment is also collected quarterly.

The information you provide is used to monitor the performance of the industry and contributes to gross domestic product (GDP). GDP is an important economic measure used by the Bank of England and HM Treasury to monitor and forecast economic growth and to inform vital policy decisions.

What you need to know

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

• total value of construction work carried out
• work on housing
• work on infrastructure
• other construction work including public, commercial and industrial structures

Information about employment is also collected quarterly.

Explain your figures in the comments section to help us understand any changes; this will help us to interpret the changes within your industry.

All of the 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) in the construction and allied trade industry

Population: approximately 223,000
Sample: approximately 8,000
Frequency: monthly
Dispatch date: between the 1st and 5th each month
Return-by date: between the 9th and 12th each month

Dispatch and return-by dates are a guide. They are subject to change because of 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 VAT and/or PAYE or with Companies House. Your response ensures we represent your industry.

The MBS 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

Your information is important to us. You have received this survey because your business is within the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) for the construction and allied trade industry. You can view further information on these SIC codes in the “related downloads” section of this page.

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 Office for National Statistics (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

Your letter explains how to submit your data using our online collection system. Please use your unique enrolment code to report your information.

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 on this page, you may be able to find the answers in the About ONS business surveys section.

You can call us on 0300 1234 931. Please enter the three-digit survey ID 228.

From outside the UK: +44 1633 810495.

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