Aim of this survey

The Annual Survey of Goods and Services (ASGS) is used to measure turnover generated by UK businesses. In particular, it measures the turnover broken down into the different goods and services from which it is generated, both inside the UK and outside the UK. Data from this survey will be used within the Services Producer Price Index (SPPI) and national accounts in their calculation of gross domestic product (GDP), which are both important economic indicators.

The ASGS is being conducted in partnership with IFF Research. If you have been selected for other ONS surveys that are currently collected online, please be aware the appearance and functionality of the ASGS questionnaire will be different.

What you need to know

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

  • turnover broken down by each of the services and goods the business provides, for customers inside the UK and customers overseas

All information you provide is strictly confidential.

Survey information

Selection criteria: UK trading businesses registered for Value Added Tax and/or Pay As You Earn
Population: approximately 1,900,000
Sample: approximately 40,000
Frequency: annually
Dispatch date: 9 June
Return-by date: 2 August

Dispatch and return-by dates are a guide. They are subject to change due to national holidays and weekends.

Why you were selected

Your business has been selected from a directory of businesses in the UK, which are registered for VAT and/or PAYE or with Companies House. Your response ensures we represent your industry.

The ASGS 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

We survey businesses of all sizes to ensure our statistics are representative of the UK economy. We select large businesses (those with 100 and over employees) for any relevant Office for National Statistics (ONS) business surveys because their information is so significant.

We select some small and medium businesses, usually for a set period then replace them with other businesses from their industry. They are very important to us as their trading patterns are often very different to large businesses.

How to complete this survey

Please complete and return the questionnaire following the guidelines on the invite letter you have received from IFF Research. Please note that this is an online only survey therefore please follow the link on the invite letter to set up an account and complete.

The invite letter will direct you to complete the online survey at www.ASGS-ONS.co.uk.

Reminders are issued automatically, so you may receive one if you submit data just before or after the return date.

Who is IFF Research and can they be trusted with my data?

IFF Research is a full-service independent research company with expertise across a range of important sectors, including business and enterprise. They were awarded a contract by ONS to run the ASGS following a full invitation to tender exercise under Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) regulations.

Any data you return as part of this survey are secure and will be used only for the purpose of this survey. As part of the tender exercise, IFF Research were assessed on their ability to collect and store information securely and in accordance with relevant legislation.

If you need help

If your question is not answered above, you may be able to find the answer in the About ONS business surveys section.

For any questions regarding the questionnaire or how to complete it, please contact IFF Research by email at ONSsurveys@iffresearch.com or by telephone on +44 800 804 8046.

Alternatively, if you have received correspondence from IFF Research and would like to confirm the legitimacy of this, please email the ONS ASGS team directly at ASGS@ons.gov.uk.

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