UK services output index: households as employers
UK services output index: households as employers stood at 101.7 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 | |||||||||||
| T — Households as employers of domestic personnel | 101.7 | 102.3 | 102.6 | 102.2 | 101.3 | 101.3 | 100.6 | 99.8 | 99.7 | 100.9 | |
| 45 — Wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles | 101.1 | 102.8 | 100.4 | 101.9 | 100.1 | 100.9 | 98.5 | 98.7 | 99.1 | 98.1 |
Understanding UK services output index: households as employers
The UK services output index: households as employers measures monthly economic output across the United Kingdom for Section T, capturing activities of households as employers of domestic personnel such as cooks, maids, gardeners, and private chauffeurs. This series stands apart from all other service industry groupings by focusing exclusively on domestic employment arranged directly by private households rather than commercial employment agencies or corporate cleaning firms. The scope excludes domestic services provided by registered business enterprises, concentrating strictly on direct household-to-employee working arrangements nationwide.
Reading this index requires understanding that it represents a very small fraction of total service sector output, making it sensitive to minor changes in domestic staffing counts. Early monthly estimates rely on household survey models and labour force trends, which are routinely updated as administrative tax and payroll records are processed. Month-on-month figures can appear stable or subject to sudden discrete steps due to the limited sample size of direct domestic employers. Analysts examining labour market dynamics use this series to track informal domestic hiring patterns distinct from corporate business services.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this series include commercial cleaning companies hired by households?
- No, commercial cleaning and agency services are recorded under administrative support, leaving this series dedicated to direct household employment.
- Why is this index typically much smaller than other service measures?
- It counts only direct private employment of domestic staff like cooks and gardeners, which represents a niche segment of the economy.
- How are these domestic employment figures estimated monthly?
- Estimates rely on household survey indicators and tax administrative records that are refined over subsequent publication cycles.