Spotlight on Quality Assessment: Statistics on UK Business Enterprise Research and Development (BERD)

Published:
11 July 2024
Last updated:
11 July 2024

Key facts

What is BERD?

Business Enterprise Research and Development (BERD)

an icon showing a melting pot or cauldron bubblingBERD statistics show:

– what businesses spend on research and development (R&D)

– how this activity is funded

– the number of people working on this activity

Five criteria used to define R&D activity

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It must be novel and aimed at new findings

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It needs to be based on original concepts and creative

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The final outcome needs to be uncertain

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It has to be systematic i.e. planned and budgeted

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The results must be transferable and/or reproducible

How BERD statistics are produced

Survey distribution

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ONS: Electronic questionnaires (a mix of long and short form)

NISRA: Questionnaires (long form) with the option to respond via paper or electronically

Sample size

 

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ONS: Approximately 37,000* businesses

 

NISRA: 1,500 businesses

*For collection of 2023 data, ONS has reduce the sample size to approximately 20,000 UK businesses

Why are BERD statistics important?

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HM Revenue and Customs uses BERD statistics to analyse the impact of proposed policies.

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The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology uses BERD statistics to inform and support policy advice.

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Northern Ireland’s Department for the Economy uses BERD statistics to support policy development.

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The Bank of England uses BERD statistics to provide insight into the UK’s innovation and productivity performance.

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Academics and research professionals use BERD statistics to understand and communicate the economic impact of research activities, within the in the UK.

Direct uses of BERD statistics

BERD statistics are used as inputs in:

 

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