GovWire

Headline findings

All level estimates in this release are presented in 2022 prices.

DCMS sectors (excluding tourism)

In December 2023, GVA by DCMS sectors increased at a greater rate than the UK as a whole. GVA of the included DCMS sectors grew by around 1% compared to November 2023, while the UK as a whole fell by 0.1%. GVA by included DCMS sectors in 2023 was estimated to be around 171 billion in 2022 prices, contributing 8% to UK GVA.

Since February 2020 (pre-pandemic), included DCMS sector GVA has grown at a faster rate than the UK as a whole at a 9% increase compared to 1.6% for the UK economy, though trends vary by sector.

Digital and telecoms sectors

In December 2023, digital sector GVA grew by 0.3% from November 2023, while GVA for the UK economy fell by 0.1%. GVA by the digital sector in 2023 was estimated to be around 161 billion in 2022 prices, contributing 7% to UK GVA.

It was 15% higher (vs 1.6% higher for the wider UK economy) than February 2020 levels, pre-pandemic.

Released

20 February 2024

About this release

The DCMS Sector total reported here includes civil society, creative industries, cultural sector, gambling and sport. Tourism is not included as the data is not yet available (see note in data table). Figures for the digital sector and telecoms are presented separately as responsibility for these policy areas now sits with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Monthly estimates

These Economic Estimates are Official Statistics, used to provide an estimate of the economic contribution of DCMS sectors, and of the digital sector, in terms of gross value added (GVA), for the period January 2019 to December 2023. This current release contains new figures for October to December 2023.

Estimates are in chained volume measures (i.e. have been adjusted for inflation), at 2022 prices, and are seasonally adjusted. These latest monthly estimates should only be used to illustrate general trends, not used as definitive figures.

You can use these estimates to:

• Look at relative indicative changes in GVA over time for DCMS sectors and subsectors (and, respectively, for the digital sector and sub-sectors)

You should not use these estimates to:

• Quantify GVA for a specific month
• Measure absolute change in GVA over time
• Determine findings for sectors that are defined using more detailed industrial classes (due to the data sources only being available at broader industry levels)

Data sources and technical information

The findings are calculated based on published ONS data sources including the Index of Services and Index of Production.

These data sources provide an estimate of the monthly change in GVA for all UK industries. However, the data is only available for broader industry groups, whereas DCMS sectors, and the digital sector, are respectively defined at a more detailed industrial level. For example, GVA for cultural education (a sub-sector of the cultural sector within the DCMS sectors) is estimated based on the trend for all education. Sectors such as cultural education may have been affected differently by COVID-19 compared to education in general. These estimates are also based on the composition of the economy in 2019. Overall, this means the accuracy of monthly GVA for DCMS sectors is likely to be lower for months in 2020 and 2021.

Thetechnical guidancecontains further information about data sources, methodology, and the validation and accuracy of these estimates. The latest version of this guidance was published in November 2023.

Content

These statistics cover the contributions of the following sectors to the UK economy.

DCMS Sectors:

• civil society
• creative industries
• cultural sector
• gambling
• sport

Users should note that there is overlap between DCMS sector definitions and that several cultural sector industries are simultaneously creative industries.

Timely estimates of tourism GVA are not available at present, due to a lack of suitable data.

Digital sector:

• digital sector
• telecoms

Users should note that there is overlap between these two sectors definitions. Specifically: the telecoms sector sits wholly within the digital sector.

Feedback and consultation

We aim to continuously improve the quality of estimates and better meet user needs. We welcome feedback on this release. Feedback should be sent via email toevidence@dcms.gov.uk.

Office for Statistics Regulation .

Our statistical practice is regulated by the OSR. OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to.

You are welcome to contact us directly with any comments about how we meet these standards by emailing evidence@dcms.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can contact OSR by emailing regulation@statistics.gov.uk or via the OSR website.

Pre-release access

The accompanying pre-release access document lists ministers and officials who have received privileged early access to this release. In line with best practice, the list has been kept to a minimum and those given access for briefing purposes had a maximum of 24 hours.

Contact

Responsible statistician: Rachel Moyce

For any queries or feedback, please contactevidence@dcms.gov.uk.