These tables show gross value added (calculated using the income approach), known as GVA(I), allocated to local authorities in the UK. These data are not National Statistics, but have been produced in response to user need as part of our flexible geography development project. The data are based on, and are consistent with, the GVA(I) figures published on 15 December 2016.

GVA data at NUTS3 level are calculated using detailed methodology. The methodology used here is a simplified process, in which seven aggregated components of GVA(I) at NUTS3 level are broken down to local authorities according to proportions calculated from the following datasets. It is important to note that in each of the datasets used to calculate these proportions, data are only available at local authority level for the latest few years. The proportions calculated from these years have been used to apportion earlier years in the time series. Calculated in this way, the time series assumes a lack of change in the regional distribution of local authorities within a NUTS3 region, which may not give a true reflection of the activity taking place in those areas. Going forward, each subsequent year will be apportioned using the latest available local authority level data and further efforts will be made to obtain comparable data for earlier years.

GVA per head estimates have been included here for information. GVA per head relates the value added by production activity in a region to the resident population of that region, and it can therefore be subject to distortion due to the effects of commuting and variations in the age distribution of the population. Small areas, such as local authorities, can be subject to very large distortions and this should be borne in mind when interpreting the statistics as an indicator of relative economic prosperity. As an example, the City of London has a very small resident population but has a very high GVA generated by workers commuting into the area. At the other end of the scale, areas such as Blaenau Gwent are affected by large numbers of people commuting out of the area to work elsewhere. GVA per head is not a measure of productivity.