Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE)
The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) is conducted in April each year to obtain information about the levels, distribution and make-up of earnings and hours worked for employees in different occupations, industries, ages and regions.
The results are widely used within government and business for purposes such as policy work regarding the National Minimum Wage, allocating grants based on regional pay variations, and pay negotiations.
The survey is based largely on a one per cent sample of employees who are members of pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) income tax schemes. It is designed to represent all categories of employees in businesses of all kinds and sizes. This results in a sample file of around 160,000 employees upon which results are based. Employers complete the survey based on payroll and personnel information relating to their employees. The survey is mandatory under the Statistics of Trade Act 1947.
The survey collects information relating to basic, overtime, incentive and other earnings for a pay period in April, along with the corresponding hours information. In addition, it collects information relating to annual earnings, pension arrangements, collective agreements, leave entitlements and the occupation of the employee.
Results from the survey are weighted to population totals from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) which, in turn, are weighted to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) population estimates. This weighting aims to correct any under-sampling and uneven levels of response for different types of employee.
The initial results of the survey are published on the National Statistics website in October/November of each year, with more detailed results becoming available over the following months.
The ASHE replaced the New Earnings Survey in 2004. ASHE estimates based on NES results are available for 1998 to 2003.
