The UK economy has entered a complex phase, with various sectors exhibiting different trends as of 23 July 2026. Real-time indicators from government departments and private sources are providing an unprecedented level of detail on key economic areas, including housing market activity, energy costs, employment levels, consumer spending patterns, and retail footfall.
At the forefront of this data collection effort is the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which, alongside other government agencies, is compiling a suite of experimental statistics. These indicators include weekly and monthly data from Rightmove on property trends across Great Britain, along with Dataloft's analysis of new renters' affordability, where gross income spent on rent accounts for 23.1% of average UK salaries (ONS figures). Furthermore, the energy sector is being closely monitored via daily System Average Prices (SAP) for gas and electricity, sourced from National Gas Transmission and Elexon respectively, highlighting a moderate increase in wholesale costs to £75.32 per megawatt-hour.
The employment landscape is also experiencing mixed trends, with 3,421 advanced notifications of potential redundancies submitted through HR1 forms (Insolvency Service data as of 23 July). Conversely, new online job adverts have reached 744,114 postings across the UK in June, a slight increase from May's figure (Textkernel analysis).
Consumer behaviour remains a pivotal area for examination. Weekly and monthly indices based on Revolut debit card transaction data indicate that the average Briton spent £63.42 per day in July, up 4.2% year-on-year. BT Active Intelligence's retail footfall data reveals an increase of 12.5% over the same period.
Transport indicators provide further insight into UK economic activity, with daily flight numbers from EUROCONTROL totalling 45,111 arrivals and departures in July. Weekly shipping data from exactEarth tracked a total of 14 vessel movements at select UK ports.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's contribution of weekly Energy Performance Building Certificates (EPCs) for new and existing domestic properties offers a nuanced understanding of the nation's building stock and energy efficiency. As policymakers strive to balance economic growth with social welfare concerns, these data points offer timely insights into the UK's economic pulse.