Written question WQ82851

In 2019, we launched The Trade Survey for Wales, which captures information to measure and improve our understanding of trade flows into and out of businesses located in Wales.

Welsh Government analysts also continue to work closely with organisations such as the Office for National Statistics (ONS), who are responsible for publishing a wide variety of economic statistics, to ensure their surveys and analysis meet Welsh user needs.

In relation to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have drawn on a wide range of established and innovative data sources to monitor the impact of the Covid pandemic on the economy and labour market in Wales. Welsh Government statisticians have been involved in the development of the new fortnightly Business Insights and Conditions Survey carried out by the ONS which provides valuable data on business views about the impact of the pandemic and EU exit.

Welsh Government officials have also been involved in methodological developments, presentation, and quality assurance of country and regional public sector finance statistics published by ONS on an annual basis, as well as working

with ONS to ensure new questions on remote working are added to the Labour Force Survey and on the development of the Low Carbon and Renewable Energy Economy survey.

In addition to our work with the ONS, we have ensured that HMRC data from its real time information systems is now a major component of the Welsh Government’s monthly suite of published labour market statistics.