DCMS Sector Economic Estimates: Methodology 2020 consultation response
Published 22 November 2023
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Introduction
The DCMS Economic Estimates Statistics Methodology consultation ran from Wednesday 29 January 2020 to Friday 1 May 2020 and received 75 complete responses. This report summarises the consultation questions, the feedback DCMS received and sets out DCMS’s response to questions regarding sector definition decision frameworks, and methodologies for generating economic estimates. As respondents could choose not to answer almost all of the questions, or in many cases could select multiple answers, the sum of the responses does not equal the number of respondents.
Question 1
Before you were informed of this consultation, were you aware of the DCMS-sector Economic Estimates series?
Summary of responses
The majority (42) of respondents indicated that they had not previously been aware of the economic estimates series. 31 respondents indicated that they were aware of the series (there were also 2 non-responses).
DCMS response
The consultation was successful at reaching beyond those who are familiar with the releases.
Question 2
Of the DCMS-sector Economic Estimates which, if any, have you used (e.g. to inform your work)? Please select all that apply
Summary of responses
The releases that were most often used by respondents who were aware of the economic estimates series were (in decreasing order): Employment (23), GVA (22), Regional GVA (19), Business Demographics (16),
Earnings (11), Trade (8).
DCMS response
As the employment statistics were used most frequently, and in response to feedback received outside of this consultation, DCMS has invested in the automation of the employment analysis, enabling it to be produced more frequently (quarterly) and to cover a broader range of variables.
Question 3
Are there any other economic measures which are currently not published for the DCMS sectors, or are there any changes to existing measures, that would be of use to you?
Summary of responses
Responses to this question indicated a variety of needs, including measures of productivity, more geographic granularity, and measures of wellbeing.
DCMS response
DCMS introduced an experimental measure of productivity in 2021 and are considering options for producing this again in future. We have published ad-hoc estimates at sub-regional levels, and remain committed to providing ad-hoc breakdowns on request whenever possible. Measures of wellbeing are currently outside the scope of this series. The DCMS Participation Survey publication includes data on wellbeing for those engaging with DCMS sectors and we do not intend to include them in the Economic Estimates.
Question 4
Do you have knowledge or experience of measuring the economic impact of industries or sectors?
Summary of responses
The majority (47) of respondents indicated that they had experience or were otherwise knowledgeable about measuring the economic impact of industries or sectors.
DCMS response
Not applicable.
Question 5
Which measures do you have knowledge or experience of using or producing? Please select all that apply.
Summary of responses
Of those who answered ‘yes’ to question 4, 40 had knowledge or experience of using or producing employment estimates, followed by Earnings (33), GVA (31), Business Demographics (28), Regional GVA (27), Productivity (25), and Trade (10).
DCMS response
Not applicable.
Question 6
Summary of responses
There was a preference across multiple measures for the DCMS approach to align with that used by ONS.
DCMS response
DCMS will continue to base its approach on ONS methods where it is viable to do so.
Question 7
Which sector or sectors are of interest to you?
Summary of responses
The Creative Industries (45) and Cultural Sector (44) were of most interest to respondents, followed by Tourism (40), Digital (39), Sport (22), Civil Society (18) and Gambling (10).
DCMS response
DCMS will continue to produce estimates of the economic impacts of all the sectors and subsectors for which it is responsible. We are considering options for producing estimates of tourism with a reduced lag.
Following the machinery of government changes, responsibility for the Digital Sector and Telecoms now sits with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
Question 8
Various frameworks and methodologies exist to help construct definitions. For example, the current definition for the Creative Industries was constructed with the aid of the dynamic mapping method. Are you aware of any other frameworks or methodologies that could be used to help construct sector definitions?
Summary of responses
The 16 responses included a consumer expenditure approach, a commercial assets-based approach, a clusters approach, informed by web scraping, SIC assignment and CH/FAME data, and a SIC/SOC or dynamic mapping approach. Respondents also recommended several existing or preferred definitions, and were interested in more holistic measures such as satellite account approaches.
DCMS response
DCMS will adopt a triaged approach to refining sector definitions, with timing and method for each determined by user needs and external opportunities.
We reviewed a variety of analytical methods to construct definitions, looking for a method that would be generalisable across all sectors, had coherence and comparability over time and was replicable by others. Based on this work, we do not believe it is optimal or appropriate to construct definitions for all sectors using an identical approach. We have made the Office for Statistics Regulation aware of our approach, and will instead continue to focus on ensuring our definitions are as good as they can be for each sector and always welcome user feedback on this.
Question 9
Do you have any other comments related to the DCMS Sector Economic Estimates, ways of producing economic measures, or methods/decisions frameworks to construct statistical definitions of economic sectors ?
Summary of responses
Responses were varied, however a common theme was a desire for sub-regional estimates.
DCMS response
We have published ad-hoc estimates at sub-regional levels, and remain committed to providing ad-hoc breakdowns on request whenever possible.