Understanding the BRES Survey

In the intricate tapestry of the UK economy, accurate and up-to-date information is paramount. For businesses operating within Great Britain, understanding the surveys that contribute to this vital data is not just beneficial, but often a legal requirement. One such cornerstone survey is the Business Register and Employment Survey, commonly known as BRES. This comprehensive survey plays a critical role in shaping our understanding of employment trends, business structures, and the overall economic landscape. This article aims to demystify the BRES, explaining its purpose, how it operates, and what it means for businesses selected to participate.

What Exactly is the BRES?

The Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES) is an annual statistical survey conducted by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Its primary objective is to gather detailed information on employees and employment across Great Britain. The data collected is considered the official source for employee and employment estimates, broken down by specific geographical locations and industrial sectors. Think of it as a detailed snapshot of who is working where, and in what capacity, across the nation.

The Dual Purpose of BRES

The BRES serves a two-fold purpose, each equally important:

• Updating the Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR): The survey collects data to maintain and update the information held on the IDBR. The IDBR is a comprehensive and crucial list of all UK businesses. It acts as the primary sampling frame for numerous other business surveys conducted by the ONS and other government departments. Ensuring the accuracy of the IDBR is therefore fundamental for the reliability of a wide range of economic statistics.
• Producing Annual Employment Statistics: The data gathered through BRES is used to produce annual employment statistics. These statistics are then made publicly available through platforms such as the Nomis website and the ONS website. These published figures are invaluable for a diverse range of users, including policymakers, economists, researchers, and particularly, local government planning departments. These departments rely heavily on BRES data to forecast employment trends within their specific areas, informing decisions on infrastructure, services, and economic development.

Why Your Business Might Be Selected

The BRES aims to capture a truly representative picture of the UK's employment landscape. To achieve this, businesses of all sizes are considered for inclusion. The selection criteria are as follows:

• VAT and/or PAYE Registration: The survey targets trading businesses registered for Value Added Tax (VAT) and/or the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system. This ensures a broad coverage of active businesses.
• Northern Ireland Data: While the survey is primarily conducted in Great Britain, data for Northern Ireland is obtained directly from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). This allows for the compilation of UK-wide estimates.

The sheer scale of the UK's business population means that a comprehensive census is impractical. Therefore, a carefully designed sample is employed:

• Population: Approximately 2,600,000 businesses are considered within the scope of the survey.
• Sample: A representative sample of approximately 85,000 businesses is selected each year.

The selection process is designed to ensure that the resulting statistics accurately reflect the diversity of the UK economy. You might be selected for a number of reasons:

• Representing Your Industry: Your business has been chosen from a directory of UK businesses. Your participation is crucial to ensure that your specific industry is accurately represented in the national statistics.
• Size Significance: Larger businesses, typically those with 100 or more employees, are often selected for relevant ONS business surveys because their data carries significant weight in the overall economic picture.
• Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Some smaller and medium-sized businesses are also selected, often for a defined period, before being replaced by other businesses from the same industry. This is because SMEs often have distinct trading patterns that differ significantly from larger corporations, and their inclusion is vital for a holistic view.

The Legal Obligation

It is important to note that the BRES is conducted under the provisions of the Statistics of Trade Act 1947. This legislation grants the ONS the authority to collect this data. Once your business has been selected, you are legally obliged to comply with the survey requirements. There is no provision to appeal against your selection; participation is a mandatory aspect of contributing to national statistics.

What Information Do You Need?

To successfully complete the BRES questionnaire, businesses will need to gather specific information relating to their employment structure. The key data point required is:

• Employee Breakdown: A clear breakdown of the number of employees across all operating sites as of a specific date, typically 9 September. This breakdown should distinguish between full-time and part-time employees.

All information provided by your business is treated with the utmost confidentiality. The ONS adheres to strict data protection protocols to ensure that individual business data is not identifiable in published statistics.

Survey Timeline and Frequency

The BRES is an annual survey, meaning it occurs once every year. The typical timeline is as follows:

• Dispatch Dates: Survey questionnaires are dispatched to selected businesses between 6 and 8 September.
• Return-by Date: Businesses are typically required to return their completed questionnaires by 5 October.

It's important to be aware that these dates are a guide and may be subject to slight changes due to national holidays or weekend scheduling. Businesses should always refer to the specific dates provided in their survey dispatch.

How to Complete the Survey

The ONS is continually working to improve its survey processes. Currently, the BRES questionnaire is primarily a paper-based exercise, although digital solutions are in development.

• Paper-Based Questionnaire: Businesses will receive a questionnaire with detailed guidelines on how to complete it.
• Editable PDFs: For convenience, editable PDF versions of the paper questionnaire can be requested through the ONS's business survey request form.
• Contacting the Survey Team: Businesses can also contact the BRES Survey Team directly for assistance or to request a questionnaire. When contacting them, it is essential to provide the survey ID code (221) and your unique 11-digit reference number, which can be found on any official communication received from the ONS regarding the survey.

The ONS is actively developing a secure online platform for completing the BRES. Businesses will be notified by letter when this online option becomes available. Your patience during this development phase is appreciated.

Important Note on Reminders: Please be aware that reminders for the survey are often issued automatically. If you submit your data very close to, or just after, the return-by date, you may still receive a reminder. This is a system function and does not indicate an issue with your submission.

Where to Find Help

If you have questions that are not covered in this overview, the ONS provides several avenues for support:

• About ONS Business Surveys: The ONS website has a dedicated section for information on their business surveys, which may contain answers to frequently asked questions.
• Minicom Service: For individuals with hearing or speech impairments, a Minicom service is available at 01633 815044.
• BRES Survey Team Contact: For any other queries, you can contact the BRES Survey Team directly on 0300 1234 944, quoting survey code 221. Alternatively, you can email [email protected]. When emailing, please include your reference number (which begins with 499 or 500) and the survey code 221 in the subject line.
• Welsh Language Support: For those who prefer to communicate in Welsh, assistance is available by calling 0300 1234 921. A Welsh language form can also be requested via the same number.

When contacting the BRES team by telephone, please have the following information readily available:

• Survey Code: 221
• Respondent Reference Number: This number will begin with either 499 or 500.

The Impact of BRES Data

The data collected through the BRES has a significant impact on various aspects of economic planning and analysis. For local government, it's an indispensable tool for understanding local labour markets. For national policymakers, it informs decisions on employment law, skills development, and economic strategy. For researchers, it provides the raw material for countless studies on the dynamics of the UK workforce. By participating in the BRES, your business directly contributes to a more informed and effective economic policy framework for the entire United Kingdom.

BRES vs. Other Surveys: A Brief Comparison

It's useful to understand how BRES fits within the broader landscape of economic surveys. While other surveys might focus on specific aspects like business investment, innovation, or international trade, BRES has a unique, overarching focus on employment and employee numbers across all sectors and geographies. Its strength lies in its comprehensiveness and its role as a foundational data source, feeding into the IDBR which, in turn, supports many other statistical outputs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the 'return-by' date?

The 'return-by' date is the deadline by which your completed BRES questionnaire must be submitted to the ONS. This is typically around 5 October each year, but always check the specific date provided with your survey.

Q2: Can I complete the survey online?

The ONS is developing an online platform for the BRES. Currently, it is primarily paper-based, but editable PDFs are available. You will receive notification when the online option is live.

Q3: What if my business has multiple sites?

You need to provide a breakdown of employees for all your operating sites as of the specified date (usually 9 September).

Q4: Is my data really confidential?

Yes, all information you provide is strictly confidential and handled in accordance with data protection legislation.

Q5: What happens if I don't complete the survey?

Participation is legally required under the Statistics of Trade Act 1947. Failure to comply can result in penalties.

In conclusion, the Business Register and Employment Survey is a vital component of the UK's statistical infrastructure. While participation may require a small investment of time and resources, the accurate employment data it generates underpins crucial economic planning and policy decisions. Understanding its purpose and requirements ensures that businesses can meet their obligations effectively and contribute to a clearer picture of the nation's economic health.