Charges are made to recover the costs of developing, and, where applicable, the material cost of supplying the commissioned output.
A relatively simple table of say, three variables, using standard classifications, and for a standard geography, can be expected to attract the minimum charge of £150 +VAT. Additional charges of £50 +VAT per half day may be added depending on the complexity of the table. Most commissioned tables fall into the minimum charge category.
From August 2007 a revised charging policy for commissioned output was introduced. The costs for producing a commissioned table remain the same but if the table is sent on CD or DVD a charge will be made for the media. Charges will be £4 +VAT for a CD and £6 +VAT for a DVD.
Copies of tables which have already been produced will continue to be provided free of charge from Census Customer Services. Where a customer requests a change which involves additional work, such as the suppressing or removal of suppression of rows, a charge will now be levied. The time taken to prepare these tables will depend on the size of files and final output produced. Costs will be based on the length of time it takes to prepare these files. This will incur the standard charge of £50 per half day for the extra work required. It may be necessary to recover material costs of supply where these become substantial. Customers will be notified of any charge in advance of supply.
A definitive cost will not be provided until a final table specification or order has been agreed between ONS and the customer. Any estimates provided by Census Customer Services on receipt of the request will be indicative only. However, ONS will not produce any table (and incur costs) until the final specification and definitive cost has been agreed by the customer in writing.
Where an identical or very similar table is requested at around the same time by more than one organisation, charges will be split equally amongst the organisations.
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