Official Statistics

Market access barrier quarterly statistics: technical annex

Published 14 September 2023

Introduction

This annex outlines the methodology, revision policy and data quality information relevant to the Market access barrier quarterly statistics. This statistic is designated as official statistics under the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007. Its aim is to support users to understand the strengths and limitations of these statistics and reduce the risk of misusing data. This statistic annex therefore includes the details about the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) compliance with the quality principles as stated in the Code of Practice for Statistics.

For terms and definitions please see the glossary at the end of this annex.

Methodology

This section covers methods of data collection and process of recording the market access barriers.

DBT is alerted to the presence of potential market access barriers in a number of ways, including through other government departments (OGDs), by UK officials working in overseas diplomatic missions as part of the overseas network and directly by UK businesses using the report a trade barrier service.

The Digital Market Access System (DMAS) is an operational system where market access barriers are recorded by His Majesty’s Government (HMG) officials who work on the UK’s market access program. They are mainly DBT’s officials based in overseas diplomatic missions in the His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) regions and, the Bilateral Trade Relations (BTR) officials in the DBT headquarters in London. OGDs and devolved administration officials coordinate with the relevant DBT BTR regional team who may update any information related to a barrier, as and when they receive. DMAS is a live database where information is updated by officials on a continual basis. This could result in changes on barrier information after the data has been downloaded.

Reported barrier statistics are generated based on the date a barrier was reported on DMAS. It includes all barriers that have been recorded onto the DMAS with one of the following statuses: ‘open’, ‘dormant’, ‘resolved in part’ or ‘resolved in full’. Resolved barrier statistics are generated based on the date reported on DMAS, this is when the resolution was reported to have occurred. Barriers on DMAS can be marked as resolved in full, when the issue has been fully addressed, or resolved in part when only a part of the issues related to a barrier is resolved.

Revision policy

DBT complies with The United Kingdom Statistics Authority (UKSA) Code of Practice for Official Statistics. This has set out the revision policy for this release and will notify users when revisions are made to statistics.

The revision policy is used to inform the reasons on why particular data, output, or publication need to be revised. These revisions are in line with the T3.9 of the Code of Practice. The revisions can take form of scheduled and unscheduled revisions.

Scheduled revisions

Scheduled revisions are planned amendments of the published statistics when revised and updated data becomes available. The scheduled revisions will be applicable for all future releases from the second quarterly release of the financial year ending 2024 onwards.

Revisions due to changes in reported barriers

A barrier that has been reported in one quarter, could be excluded due to it being a duplicate, sub-barrier, reported in error, or if it does not meet the DBT definition of being a market access barrier. This means that the statistics from previous quarters may be revised in the next iteration of this quarterly release.

Revisions due to changes in resolved barriers

A barrier status can be updated to either resolved in full or resolved in part. If barrier status has been changed to ‘resolved in part’ in one quarter, the status of this barrier could change to ‘open’ or ‘resolved in full’ in the next quarter. This means that the statistics from the previous quarterly publications will be revised in the next iteration of the release to reflect this change in the barrier status. The comparison of resolved barriers from previous releases is not appropriate as it may cause double counting.

Unscheduled revisions

Unscheduled revisions are unplanned. They can occur due to published statistics released with errors, due to unforeseen changes in methodology, or due to an effect of changes in administrative or management systems.

Revision due to published statistics released with errors

Occasionally errors can occur in statistical processes. There is a thorough quality assurance process in place to prevent these errors and they are constantly reviewed to minimise this risk. If a significant error is found, a revised edition of statistic will be published in agreement with the DBT’s Chief Statistician. If a minor error is found, the error will be revised in the following quarterly release, with a published revision note to show the change.

Revision due to changes in methodology

Where there have been revisions to data accountable to changes in methodology or administrative systems, DBT will ensure that these are clearly stated in the next release.

Data quality

This section covers the quality of the market access data and their reliability. In order to determine whether outputs meet their needs, quality is measured in terms of the quality dimensions of the European Statistical System.

Accuracy and reliability

Statistics on market access barriers are produced using recorded details of reported and resolved barriers on DBT’s DMAS operational system. This system is used to ensure all relevant details relating to an identified barrier are recorded consistently and accessible to those involved in addressing them across government.

DMAS is a live database which is updated by HMG officials on a continual basis. DMAS entries are verified as part of the production of the official statistics. There is a thorough quality assurance process in place to ensure accuracy is maintained when data is downloaded from DMAS. These processes are constantly reviewed to maintain the quality of statistical processes and outputs.

Timeliness and punctuality

All quarterly releases are updated with the latest market access barrier statistics following the corresponding quarterly period, starting from Quarter 1 (April to June), Quarter 2 (July to September), Quarter 3 (October to December), and Quarter 4 (January to March). The data is downloaded from DMAS with one month lag. This process enables for more accurate information to be available before data is downloaded on the last working day of the following month of the reporting period.

The dates of the future scheduled quarterly market access barrier statistics releases will be pre-announced in advance via the government statistics release calendar. DBT will also notify users if there are any changes to the pre-announced release schedule and provide the reasons for the change.

Accessibility and clarity

In line with the government accessibility requirements, the market access barrier statistics are provided in the HyperText Markup Language (HTML) which follows the AA accessibility standards for GOV.UK publications. DBT continues to review the accessibility of this release prior to each publication, ensuring it adheres to the government accessibility requirements. This release is also reviewed by the DBT Digital Team.

If you have any feedback on the accessibility of this release, please contact AG-MarketAccessTeam@businessandtrade.gov.uk.

Comparability and coherence

Statistics derived from DMAS can provide a partial picture of market access activity and issues. They do not provide a comprehensive view on underlying market access conditions faced by UK businesses in exporting around the world.

The regional breakdowns presented in the quarterly release are used as an indication of market access activity in a particular HMTC region. However, this should not be understood as a complete indicator of the market access conditions within HMTC regions, or how they have changed. Instead, it represents the market access barriers that have been reported to DBT.

The number of barriers reported and resolved and changes across reporting period (quarterly/annual) is not indicative of the scope of value of market access activity, and is attributable to operational factors, such as increased focus on resolving rather than reporting market access barriers or vice versa.

Cost, burden, and confidentiality

The data used in the market access barrier statistics release are all derived from DBT’s internal DMAS operational system which are recorded by operational staff, and therefore there are no extra resources required to collect data. Due to the automated processes of producing this statistic in HTML, there is a vastly reduced cost and burden associated with producing the publication compared to if it was done manually. No extra cost is required to publish this statistic release.

There are no known confidentiality issues with the data contained in the market access barrier statistics publication as DBT does not publish disclosive information on any barrier. In line with GSS guidance on confidentiality, DBT will ensure that the information published does not reveal the identity of an individual or organisation, taking account of information available from other sources.

Disclosure and suppression

Section 2.2 and 3.2 (Tables 1 and 3) may include some small figures (smaller than 5) on reported and resolved barriers in HMTC regions. There is very minimal risk of individual businesses in HMTC regions being identified from these statistics alone. This has been considered and deemed proportionate to publish these small numbers without the need of suppression. In the annual publication, we provide a sectoral breakdown, which is not included in the quarterly series, and suppression is applied to that data where the numbers are smaller than 5. This is to protect the identity of foreign investors and companies, as well as UK companies.

These rules are in place to minimise risk of disclosure, and the financial, reputational, and operational damage that could occur should exposure happen.

Glossary

Diplomatic missions

Diplomatic missions overseas are where DBT’s staff are based in high commissions or deputy high commissions in Commonwealth countries, and embassies in other countries. DBT’s offices around the world list the locations.

His Majesty’s Trade Commissioners (HMTCs)

DBT’s market access activity is divided into 9 separate geographic regions, each led by HMTCs for that region. These regions are referred as HMTC regions.

His Majesty’s Government (HMG) officials

This refers to officials belonging to HMTC regions, Department of Business and Trade, other government departments and devolved administrations.

Trading partner

The trading partners are the individual countries with whom UK is involved in trading and investment activities overseas.

Trading blocks

Businesses can trade under agreements with the individual countries and trade blocs. Find the list of trade agreements between trading blocs, in the UK trade agreements in effect.

Excluded barriers

These are barriers which are not deleted from DMAS, they remain on DMAS as archived.

Open barriers

Unresolved barriers that are actively being scoped or where efforts are being made to deliver a resolution.

Dormant barriers

Unresolved barriers that have been scoped, and are not being currently pursued, primarily due to operational reasons. However, they may be re-opened in future and pursued for resolution.