E-commerce is likely to have 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 response to this policy need, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has developed a package of measures that will help monitor the UK's progress towards this aim. One strand 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.

A full set of results for the 2000 inquiry was published in Economic Trends (July 2001 edition). Further analyses were then published in the September 2001 edition of Economic Trends, including regional analyses of internet access, websites, e-commerce sales and purchases and the use of broadband technology.

In addition to the e-commerce inquiry, the ONS also carries out a monthly survey to Internet Service Providers to measure the change in levels of active subscribers to the internet, and the type of connections used. A monthly index was published for the first time on 17 December 2001 and is updated on a monthly basis.

Statistics provided by HMSO - media e PSI Licence No. C2006010687

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