Economic activity and social change in the UK, real-time indicators: 25 April 2024

Early data on the UK economy and society. These faster indicators are created using rapid response surveys, novel data sources and innovative methods. These are official statistics in development.

Table of contents

1. Main points
2. Latest indicators at a glance
3. Consumer behaviour
4. Business and workforce
5. Energy
6. Transport
7. Data
8. Glossary
9. Measuring the data
10. Strengths and limitations
11. Related links
12. Cite this statistical bulletin

Main points

• Consumer behaviour indicators showed decreased activity in the latest week, with aggregate UK spending on credit and debit cards decreasing by 2% compared with the previous week, while overall retail footfall decreased by 3% (Bank of England CHAPS, MRI OnLocation). Section 3: Consumer behaviour.
• The total number of online job adverts on 19 April 2024 was broadly unchanged when compared with the previous week, but 19% below the level seen for the equivalent period of 2023 (Adzuna). Section 4: Business and workforce. 
• The System Average Price (SAP) of gas increased by 14% in the week to 21 April 2024; this was 20% below the level seen in the equivalent week of 2023 (National Gas Transmission). Section 5: Energy.
• Both the daily average number of UK flights and traffic camera activity for cars in London remained broadly unchanged in the week to 21 April 2024 when compared with the previous week (EUROCONTROL, Transport for London). Section 6: Transport.

Consumer behaviour

UK spending on debit and credit cards: weekly, seasonally adjusted CHAPS-based indicator

These data series are real-time indicators for estimating UK spending on credit and debit cards. They track the daily CHAPS payments made by credit and debit card payment processors to around 100 major UK retail corporates. These payments are the proceeds of recent credit and debit card transactions made by customers at their stores, both via physical and online platforms. More information on the indicator is provided in the accompanying Guide to the Bank of England’s UK spending on credit and debit cards experimental data series.

Companies are allocated to one of four categories based on their primary business, we are currently publishing two of those categories:

• “delayable” refers to companies selling goods whose purchase could be delayed, such as clothing or furnishings
• “staple” refers to companies that sell essential goods that households need to purchase, such as food and utilities

Source: Calculations from the Office for National Statistics and Bank of England

Notes:

1. Users should note that the weekly payment data show the sum of card transactions processed up to the previous working day, so there is a time lag when compared with real-life events on the chart.
2. Percentage difference is derived from the current and previous index value before rounding.
3. Seasonal adjustment and trend estimates are calculated by the Office for National Statistics using data provided by the Bank of England.
4. Users should note that all series have been re-indexed, using their average value from 2023.

Overall retail footfall in the week to 21 April 2024 decreased by 3% when compared with the level seen in the previous week and decreased by 1% when compared with the level seen in the equivalent week of 2023.

All three location categories saw a decrease in footfall in the latest week. Shopping centre footfall had the largest decrease when compared with the level seen in the previous week, falling by 6%. Meanwhile, high street and retail park footfall also decreased, by 3% and 1%, respectively. When compared with the equivalent week of 2023, shopping centre and high street footfall again decreased, both falling by 2%, while retail park footfall remained broadly unchanged.

Overall retail footfall decreased in 9 of the 12 UK countries and regions when compared with the previous week. The largest decrease occurred in the East of England, falling by 8% of the level seen in the previous week. For the remaining 3 UK countries and regions, overall retail footfall increased in Northern Ireland by 4%, and remained broadly unchanged in Wales and the West Midlands.

When compared with the equivalent period of the previous year, overall retail footfall decreased in 8, increased in 2 and remained broadly unchanged in 2 of the 12 UK countries and regions. The largest decreases were seen in Northern Ireland and Scotland, with both decreasing by 6%.

Download full PDF here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/economicoutputandproductivity/output/bulletins/economicactivityandsocialchangeintheukrealtimeindicators/25april2024/pdf

Source: Contracts Finder licensed under the Open Government Licence v.1.0.