21 March 2025

During work to improve the systems used to create the Producer Price Index (PPI) and the Services Producer Price Indices (SPPI), our quality assurance identified a problem with the chain-linking methods used to calculate these indices.

This problem affects the years from 2008 onwards. However, the main impact on annual producer price inflation rates is seen in 2022 and 2023. As a consequence, we are pausing the publication of PPI and SPPI data, which was next due on 26 March, while we rectify this issue. We are planning to recommence publication in the summer and will keep users informed of progress.

While it is too soon to calculate the overall impact, our current assessment, based on the methods we are likely to use, is that while the effects are likely to be mixed for different products and industries, we currently expect the headline output PPI to be revised upwards. Conversely, the headline SPPI is likely to be revised downwards.

We will provide further information on the likely impacts and timetable for recommencing publication of the PPIs and SPPIs as soon as is practicable.

The ONS apologises for the inconvenience caused.