UK services output index: information and communication
UK services output index: information and communication stood at 119.3 in Jul 2026, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Monthly GDP and output table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 1997 to Jul 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Monthly GDP and output table
| Indicator | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | 10-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Services output index by industry | |||||||||||
| J — Information and communication | 119.3 | 116.6 | 115.5 | 116.2 | 113.9 | 112.7 | 112.5 | 111.9 | 111.7 | 111 | |
| K — Financial and insurance services | 98.9 | 98.5 | 98.6 | 98.5 | 98.8 | 98.4 | 98.3 | 98.4 | 98.4 | 98.3 |
Understanding UK services output index: information and communication
The UK services output index: information and communication monitors monthly economic output across the United Kingdom for Section J, covering publishing, motion picture and television production, sound recording, broadcasting, telecommunications, and computer programming or consultancy. Unlike physical manufacturing or trade series, this measure tracks intangible value creation, digital infrastructure services, and content dissemination. The framework includes software development and IT hosting while excluding hardware manufacturing operations, which are allocated to the industrial production index.
Reading this index requires accounting for lumpy project-based revenues in software consulting alongside regular subscription renewals in telecommunications and broadcasting. Early monthly estimates frequently undergo revision as large enterprises submit delayed financial returns for complex digital projects. Observers should examine rolling quarterly changes alongside annual comparisons to distinguish genuine technological investment trends from temporary contract delivery spikes. Comparing information and communication output with financial services helps reveal broader corporate demand for digital transformation and connectivity.
Frequently asked questions
- Are computer hardware manufacturing plants included in this series?
- No, hardware production is recorded under the industrial production index, leaving this series focused on software and IT services.
- How are major broadcast events handled in the data?
- Seasonal adjustment models account for recurring broadcasting cycles, though unexpected major sporting events can cause temporary fluctuations.
- Why are revisions common in the information and communication sector?
- Large tech firms and consultancy providers often report financial data with a lag, requiring later updates to preliminary index values.