The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has initiated the third wave of its business data use and productivity study. Ipsos has been commissioned to carry out the survey fieldwork, which is scheduled from October 2026 to February 2027.
This multi-year study, which began in 2022/23 with a follow-up in 2024/25, aims to understand how data use in individual UK businesses and at an economy-wide level can promote higher productivity and growth. The survey asks businesses about their investment in data assets, data-related skills, and activities.
During the fieldwork period, some organisations may receive calls from an Ipsos interviewer from their Edinburgh office or an email invitation to participate. Businesses selected at random from the Market Location Database, ensuring a spread across sectors and employee numbers, are being invited. Some respondents from earlier waves who agreed to future contact will also be reached out to.
Previous waves of the study estimated current data investment in the UK economy and explored the potential impact of a more advanced data market on productivity. Key findings indicated that businesses need to invest in tools, analytical capabilities, and skills to transform data into valuable products and services for the greatest benefit.