e-Commerce and Internet
Why we measure web business and Internet access
E-commerce has a huge impact on the way we do business. It has the potential to lead to dramatic growth in trade, increase markets, improve efficiency and effectiveness and transform business processes. In recognition of its significance in the future performance of the economy, the UK Government set itself the target of becoming 'the best environment in the world to do e-commerce' in its 1998 White Paper on Competitiveness.
In response to this policy requirement, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has developed a package of measures that will help monitor the UK's progress towards this target. One part of the strategy is a survey of UK business that asks about their use of the Internet and other communication technologies, and publishes estimates of the value of electronic sales and purchases.
The first results of the survey were published in an article in the former ONS publication Economic Trends (July 2001 edition). Further results have been published annually including analyses of Internet access, websites, e-commerce sales and purchases and the use of broadband technology.
In addition to the e-commerce inquiry, ONS also publishes annual statistics about individuals’ and households’ adoption of the Internet and the use of Information and Communication Technology in the UK.
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e-Commerce