Guidance

Strategic export controls: Licensing statistics statement of administrative sources

Updated 12 December 2024

This is a statement of the administrative sources used to compile the strategic export control licensing statistics.

Administrative data refers to information collected primarily for administrative reasons (that is not initially for statistics or research). It is often used for operational purposes and their statistical use is usually secondary.

Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) at the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) previously published the strategic export control data as official statistics. However, from the 2024 Q1 publication until further notice, these statistics have been reclassified and published as Official Statistics in Development as decided by the Department’s Chief Statistician and Chief Analyst. This is due to limitations in the ability to extract comprehensive and accurate licensing data from LITE, and the impact this had on the publication as LITE usage increased – see Limitations in how we have published the LITE data for further details.

Administrative source

At present, 2 administrative sources, SPIRE and LITE, are used to produce the strategic export controls licensing statistics.

Prior to the 2021 Q3 publication, this release provided data solely from SPIRE. However, with the introduction of LITE in 2021, this release has included data from both SPIRE and LITE from the 2021 Q3 publication onwards – see Dual running 2 administrative sources for further details.

Whilst the 2023 Q1 publication onwards still includes data from both SPIRE and LITE, there are some limitations in how we have published the LITE data for the 2023 reporting periods onwards, so comparing figures from these reporting periods with previous reporting periods should be done so with care – see Limitations in how we have published the LITE data for further details.

Dual running 2 administrative sources

ECJU is in the process of introducing a new digital system for export licensing, known as LITE, which will replace its legacy system, SPIRE. LITE aims to streamline the application process for exporters using improved service design and modern technology to support robust licence decision-making. During the transition period, ECJU are handling applications on both SPIRE and LITE – see Table: Number of LITE licence application outcomes by reporting period for a breakdown of all LITE licence application outcomes included within the strategic export control licensing statistics from the 2021 Q3 publication onwards.

With the introduction of LITE in 2021, these statistics have included data from LITE since 2021 Q3, the period in which the first licensing decision was made in LITE. This transition has impacted upon the timeliness and comprehensiveness of the publication.

Limitations in how we have published the LITE data

Strategic export control licensing statistics

From the 2023 Q1 publication onwards, there have been some limitations in the LITE data we have published due to limitations in relation to the ability to extract comprehensive and accurate licensing data from LITE, with impacted statistics having been caveated in each impacted publication appropriately:

• 2008 Q1 to 2021 Q2: Prior to the 2021 Q3 publication, licensing decisions were made solely in SPIRE. Consequently, these statistics were sourced solely from SPIRE and could be considered wholly comprehensive.

• 2021 Q3 to 2022 Q4: Following the period in which the first licensing decision was made in LITE (2021 Q3), these statistics were sourced from both SPIRE and LITE, meaning they could still be considered wholly comprehensive.

• 2023 Q1 to 2023 Q4:  These statistics were sourced from both SPIRE and LITE. However, there were some limitations in how the LITE data was published – any SIEL figures that provided the data broken down by initial processing times did not include SIELs processed in LITE for these reporting period. This impacted upon Tables B and C from 2023 Q1 onwards, and any associated commentary or charts based on initial processing time.

• 2024 Q1 onwards: These statistics were sourced from both SPIRE and LITE. However, in addition to the limitations introduced from the 2023 Q1 publication onwards, there are further limitations in how the LITE data is published – only SIEL figures that are only broken down by licence outcome and/or licence sub-type include SIELs processed in LITE for these reporting periods. In addition to the previous impact on Tables B and C, this impacted upon Tables E, F, G and the country pivot table from 2024 Q1 onwards, and any associated commentary or charts based on these.

Impacted statistics have been caveated in each impacted publication appropriately. In summary, tables in this release providing SIEL figures broken down by licence outcome and/or licence sub-type only (Table A) will not be impacted and will still include SIELs processed in LITE for these reporting periods. However, data tables that provide SIEL figures broken down by anything else, including by processing times, end-user destination, the types of goods on a licence, the value of goods on a licence, and refusal criteria (Tables B, C, E, F, G and the country pivot table), will be impacted and will not include SIELs processed in LITE for these reporting periods.

Once LITE functionality permits, we will retrospectively publish all data on export licencing decisions made in LITE that was omitted during the transition period to ensure there are no overall reductions in transparency - see Future changes to how we publish the LITE data for further details.

Strategic Export Controls: Reports and Statistics website

LITE data will no longer be published on the existing Strategic Export Controls: Reports and Statistics website from 2023 onwards. The following is a summary of the LITE related impact on the Strategic Export Controls: Reports and Statistics website:

• data on export licencing decisions made in LITE prior to 2023 (that is, up to and including 31 December 2022) are included on the Strategic Export Controls: Reports and Statistics website, except for SIEL end-user types and firearm quantities.

• all data on export licencing decisions made in LITE from 2023 onwards (that is, from 1 January 2023) are not included on the Strategic Export Controls: Reports and Statistics website.

Once LITE functionality permits, we will retrospectively publish all data on export licencing decisions made in LITE that was omitted during the transition period to ensure there are no overall reductions in transparency - see Future changes to how we publish the LITE data for further details.

Statistics on licencing decisions made in LITE

The following table provides the number of LITE licence application outcomes included within the strategic export control licensing statistics from the 2021 Q3 publication onwards.

Table: Number of LITE licence application outcomes by reporting period

Period	Issued	Refused	Revoked	No Licence Required	Withdrawn	Stopped	Total
2021 Q3	26	0	0	0	3	0	29
2021 Q4	53	0	0	3	0	0	56
2022 Q1	70	1	0	3	9	0	83
2022 Q2	57	0	1	1	5	0	64
2022 Q3	64	5	0	2	3	0	74
2022 Q4	68	1	0	2	8	0	79
2023 Q1	210	3	0	9	7	0	229
2023 Q2	288	7	0	18	11	0	324
2023 Q3	299	6	0	23	20	0	348
2023 Q4	324	6	0	39	17	0	386
2024 Q1	398	2	0	21	32	0	453
2024 Q2	660	22	0	72	43	0	797

Future changes to how we publish the LITE data

As further LITE functionality is rolled out, we will be able gradually to increase and improve the data published from LITE. This will be an iterative process, but we anticipate being able to remove the ‘In Development’ status and return to providing a full complement of Official Statistics, including both SPIRE and LITE data, during 2025. At that point, we will retrospectively publish all LITE data that has been omitted during the transition period. This will ensure that any data not provided during that time is made public and there is no overall reduction in transparency. We will establish a more precise timeframe for that as soon as possible in the new year.

We are also using the development of LITE as an opportunity to improve the way we publish data. We will continue to publish the strategic export controls licensing  statistics in the same overall format; but we will be changing and improving the overall format of how we publish data through the searchable database website. These changes are based on research with known users of the searchable database website to make sure the format best meets their needs.

Further details

Further background on this can be found in the following notice to exporters (NTEs):

• NTE 2021/08: LITE

• NTE 2022/02: changes to export licensing statistics

• NTE 2022/15: export controls statistics website data availability.

Collection

This is a short outline of the process through which the system’s underlying ‘raw data’ are captured.

Detail

Exporters have used SPIRE or LITE to apply or register for an export licence since September 2007. This is for military, dual-use or other items controlled for strategic reasons.

Application

This is a description of the main applications or uses to which the administrative or management data are put. This is before they are transformed into licensing statistics.

Detail

ECJU use the information submitted on licensing applications to make a decision about each licence. The time taken to make licensing decisions is also monitored by ECJU for operational management.

Examples include:

• operational monitoring

• resource allocation

• performance measurement

Access and dissemination

This is a summary of the arrangements put in place for sharing and disseminating the administrative or management data.

This applies:

• inside or outside the organisation

• during the period before they are converted into licensing statistics

• to dissemination whether via a hardcopy, an intranet, access to a database or other means

The details provided should cover the range, nature and timing of such access.

Detail

We share information from certain licence applications with:

• the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)

• Ministry of Defence (MOD)

• Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ)

Each provides expert advice to help inform licensing decisions. Parties receive access to the application details via SPIRE or LITE.

Only those with 24-hour pre-release access see the final data before publication. Recipients receive a copy of the statistical publication via email. This is after we have completed processing of the data for publication.

 We inform all departmental users:

• of their responsibilities as data controllers

• that DBT must control the release of any licensing data

Non-statistical publication

This is a summary of any arrangements put in place for placing the administrative data in the public domain. It applies during the period before they are converted into licensing statistics. This should cover the reason for such publication and the nature and timing of such publication.

Detail

We reference published data first in all instances. We consider administrative data for release under relevant legislation. For example, the Freedom of Information Act or the Data Protection Act). This is if published data do not suffice.

Statistical publication

A listing of each of the Accredited Official Statistics,  Official Statistics or Official Statistics in Development series derived from each system.

Detail

The Official Statistics in Developmentpublication is strategic export controls: licensing data.

Synergies

A mapping which explains the relationship between any public manifestations of the administrative data, and any subsequent statistical releases or publications.

Detail

The government publishes summary licensing data and licence processing statistics in the annual report on strategic export controls.

DBT compile this report in collaboration with:

• ECJU

• FCDO

• MOD

SPIRE and LITE security and data protection arrangements

The extent to which data is handled in line with data protection protocols and ensuring the orderly release of data.

Detail

Data controllers have access to view and edit individual licences on SPIRE and LITE. The vast majority do not have the functionality to download aggregated data reports. Users in the ECJU policy team have this functionality.

ECJU’s policy team control all releases of data.