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Introduction

This annex outlines the methodology, revision policy and data quality information relevant to theÌýmarket access barrier annual statistics. This statistic is designated as official statistics under theÌý. Its aim is to support users to understand the strengths and limitations of these statistics and reduce the risk of misusing data.

This statistic annex therefore includes the details about Department for Business and Trade (DBT) compliance with the quality principles as stated in theÌý. For terms and definitions, see theÌýglossaryÌýat the end of this annex.

Methodology

This section coversÌýDBT’s definition of market access barriers, methods of data collection and process of recording market access barriers.

DBTÌýdefines barriers as the presence or absence of any legal, regulatory or administrative practice by another government or regulator that can impede a business exporting or investing overseas.

DBTÌýis alerted to the presence of potential market access barriers in a number of ways, including:

• through other government departments (OGDs)
• UK officials working in overseas diplomatic missions as part of the overseas network
• UK businesses using theÌýÌý²õ±ð°ù±¹¾±³¦±ð

The Digital Market Access System (DMAS) is an operational system where market access barriers are recorded by government officials who work on the UK’s market access programme.

They are mainlyÌýDBT’s officials based in overseas diplomatic missions in His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) regions and the China, Development and Market Access Relations (CDMA) officials in theÌýDBTÌýheadquarters in London.Ìý

OGDsÌýand devolved administration officials coordinate with relevantÌýDBTÌýCDMA regional teams who may update any information related to a barrier, as and when they receive it.

DMASÌýis a live database where information is updated by officials on a continual basis. This could result in changes on barrier information after the data has been downloaded.

Reported barrier statistics are generated based on the date a barrier was reported onÌýDMAS. It includes all barriers that have been recorded onto theÌýDMASÌýwith one of the following statuses: ‘open’, ‘dormant’, ‘resolved in part’ or ‘resolved in full’.

Resolved barrier statistics are generated based on the date recorded onÌýDMAS, this is when the resolution was reported to have occurred. Barriers onÌýDMASÌýcan be marked as resolved in full, when the issue has been fully addressed, or resolved in part when only a part of the issues related to a barrier is resolved.

Revision policy

DBTÌýcomplies with The United Kingdom Statistics Authority (UKSA)Ìý. This has set out the revision policy for this release and will notify users when revisions are made to statistics.

The revision policy is used to inform the reasons why particular data, output or publication need to be revised. These revisions are in line with theÌý. The revisions can take the form of scheduled and unscheduled revisions.

Scheduled revisions

Scheduled revisions are planned amendments of the published statistics when revised and updated data becomes available.

Revisions due to changes in reported barriers

A barrier that has been reported in one financial year, could be excluded due to it being a duplicate, sub-barrier, reported in error or if it does not meet theÌýDBTÌýdefinition of being a market access barrier.Ìý

This means that the statistics from the previous financial year may be revised in the next iteration of this annual release.

Revisions due to changes in resolved barriers

A barrier status can be updated to either resolved in full or resolved in part. If barrier status has been changed to ‘resolved in part’ in one financial year, the status of this barrier could change to ‘open’ or ‘resolved in full’ in the next financial year.

This means that the statistics from the previous annual publications will be revised in the next iteration of the release to reflect this change in the barrier status. The comparison of resolved barriers from previous releases is not appropriate as it may cause double counting.

Unscheduled revisions

Unscheduled revisions are unplanned, and they can occur due to published statistics released with error, due to unforeseen changes in methodology or due to an effect of changes in administrative or management systems.

Revision due to published statistics released with an error

Occasionally, an error can occur in statistical processes. There is a thorough quality assurance process in place to prevent any error, and they are constantly reviewed to minimise this risk.

If a significant error is found, a revised edition of the statistics will be published in agreement withÌýDBT’s Chief Statistician. If a minor error is found, the error will be revised in the following annual release, with a published revision note to show the change.

As part of continuous improvement, we have quality assured our formulas and found an error in calculating the market access barriers related to the space sector. This has a minor impact on figures related to the space sectors in the sector tables.

This error has been rectified and this release includes the revised numbers for the space sector in the sector tables. The space sector figures published in the past release should not be used for comparison.

Revision due to changes in methodology

Where there have been revisions to data accountable to changes in methodology or administrative systems,ÌýDBTÌýwill make sure that these are clearly stated in the next release.

Due toÌýchanges in methodology made inÌýFYEÌý2021, the market access barrier statistics are not comparable with those published inÌýFYEÌý2020.

Data quality

This section covers the quality of the market access data and its reliability. To determine whether outputs meet the needs of users, quality is measured in terms of the quality dimensions of theÌý.

Accuracy and reliability

Statistics on market access barriers are produced using recorded details of reported and resolved barriers onÌýDBT’sÌýDMASÌýoperational system. This system is used to make sure all relevant details relating to an identified barrier are recorded consistently and accessible to those involved in addressing them across government.

DMASÌýis a live database which is updated by government officials on a continual basis.ÌýDMASÌýentries are verified as part of the production of the official statistics. There is a thorough quality assurance process in place to make sure accuracy is maintained when data is downloaded fromÌýDMAS. These processes are constantly reviewed to maintain the quality of statistical processes and outputs.

Timeliness and punctuality

This release is planned to be updated with the latest market access barrier statistics, covering each financial year period from April to March. The data is downloaded fromÌýDMASÌýwith one-month lag. This process enables more accurate information to be available before data is downloaded on the last working day of the following month of the reporting period.

The dates of the future scheduled quarterly market access barrier statistics releases will be pre-announced in advance via theÌýgovernment statistics release calendar.ÌýDBTÌýwill also notify users if there are any changes to the pre-announced release schedule and provide the reasons for the change.

Accessibility and clarity

In line with the governmentÌýaccessibility requirements, the market access barrier statistics are provided in HyperText Markup Language (HTML) which follows theÌýÌýfor °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï publications.ÌýDBTÌýcontinues to review the accessibility of this release prior to each publication, making sure it adheres to the government accessibility requirements.

If you have any feedback on the accessibility of this release, contactÌýAG-MarketAccessTeam@businessandtrade.gov.uk

Comparability and coherence

Statistics derived fromÌýDMASÌýcan provide a partial picture of market access activity and issues. They do not provide a comprehensive view on underlying market access conditions faced by UK businesses in exporting around the world.

The regional breakdowns presented in the annual release are used as an indication of market access activity in a particularÌýHMTCÌýregion. However, this should not be understood as a complete indicator of the market access conditions within a HMTC region, or how they have changed. Instead, it represents the market access barriers that have been reported toÌýDBT.

The number of barriers reported and resolved, and changes across reporting period (quarterly or annual) is not indicative of the scope of value of market access activity and is attributable to operational factors, such as increased focus on resolving rather than reporting market access barriers or vice versa.

Cost, burden and confidentiality

The data used in the market access barrier statistics release is all derived fromÌýDBT’s internalÌýDMASÌýoperational system which is recorded by the operational staff, and there are therefore no extra resources required to collect data.

Due to the automated processes of producing this statistic in HTML, there is a vastly reduced cost and burden associated with producing the publication compared with if it was done manually. No extra cost is required to publish this statistical release.

There are no known confidentiality issues with the data contained in the Market access barrier statistics publication, asÌýDBTÌýdoes not publish disclosive information on any barrier.

In line withÌý,ÌýDBTÌýwill make sure that the information published does not reveal the identity of an individual or organisation, taking account of information available from other sources.

Disclosure and suppression

To protect the identity of foreign investors and companies, as well as UK companies, disclosure rules have been applied to the numbers of reported and resolved barriers represented in tables by sector breakdowns in section 2 and 3.

Where there are 5 or fewer market access barriers affecting sectors, the numbers are suppressed and a letter ‘c’ will denote this.

The sections providing the number of reported and resolved barriers atÌýHMTCÌýregions level, do not have any suppressed figure. There is very minimal risk of individual businesses inÌýHMTCÌýregions being identified from these statistics alone. It has been considered and deemed proportionate to publish these small numbers without the need for suppression.

In the annual publication, we do provide a sectoral breakdown, which is not included in the quarterly series, and suppression is applied wherever data represents 5 or fewer market access barriers.

These rules have been put in place to minimise risk of disclosure, and the financial, reputational and operational damage that could occur should exposure happen.

Glossary

Diplomatic missions

Diplomatic missions overseas are whereÌýDBT’s staff are based in high commissions or deputy high commissions in Commonwealth countries, and embassies in other countries.ÌýDBTÌýoffices around the world.

His Majesty’s Trade Commissioners (HMTCs)

DBT’s overseas network is made up of 9 separate geographic regions, each headed by aÌýHMTC.

Trading partners

The trading partners are the individual countries with whom UK is involved in trading and investment activities overseas.

Trading blocs

Businesses can trade under agreements with the individual countries and trade blocs. Find the list of trade agreements between trading blocs, in theÌýUK trade agreements in effect.

Excluded barriers

These are barriers which are not deleted fromÌýDMAS, they remain onÌýDMASÌýas ‘archived’.

Open barriers

Unresolved barriers that are actively being scoped or where efforts are being made to deliver a resolution.

Dormant barriers

Unresolved barriers that have been scoped, and are not being currently pursued, primarily due to operational reasons. However, they may be re-opened in future and pursued for resolution.