Reviews recent developments in the measurement and publication of service sector statistics and considers where improvements are still needed
This article reviews recent developments in the measurement and publication of services sector statistics for the UK, taking into account the recommendations of an interdepartmental review undertaken in 1995, which was chaired by the former Department of Trade and Industry. In recent years, UK service industries have seen considerable growth and now account for nearly 75 per cent of total UK output. Changes are still continuing within the service industries, and in recent years there has been a polarisation between knowledge-based and labour-intensive industries. This article examines the progress made on the measurement of turnover, gross value added, jobs and international trade within the service sector industries, and also considers where improvements are still needed. Further articles will examine in more detail business services, the relationship between manufacturing and services and performance measures such as productivity, profitability and investment, together with labour market characteristics.
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The Full Text of this article can be found on the National Statistics website (http://www.statistics.gov.uk/elmr/01_08/downloads/elmr_jan08_brook.pdf).
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Brook, K. Developments in measuring the UK service industries, 1990 to 2006. Econ Lab Market Rev 2, 18–29 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1057/elmr.2008.6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/elmr.2008.6