Real-Time Indicators: Economic Activity and Social Change in the UK – October 12, 2023

1. Consumer Behavior:
   • UK retail footfall decreased to 97% of the previous week.
   • Spending on debit and credit cards increased in all categories.
2. Business and Workforce:
   • Online job adverts decreased by 2% compared to the previous week.
3. Energy and Housing:
   • System Price of electricity and System Average Price (SAP) of gas decreased by 31% and 20% respectively.
4. Transport:
   • Daily average number of UK flights was 5,906, falling by 1%.
   • Traffic camera activity for cars in London remained unchanged and was at 111% of pre-COVID-19 levels.

Latest Indicators at a Glance

• Overall UK retail footfall: 97% of the previous week.
• Spending on debit and credit cards: Increased in all categories (Aggregate: 7%, Delayable: 8%, Staple: 7%, Social: 6%, Work-related: 2%).
• Online job adverts: Decreased by 2% compared to the previous week.
• System Price of electricity: Decreased by 31%.
• System Average Price (SAP) of gas: Decreased by 20%.
• Daily average number of UK flights: 5,906 (1% decrease from the previous week).
• Traffic camera activity for cars in London: 111% of pre-COVID-19 levels.

Consumer Behavior

UK Spending on Debit and Credit Cards

• Daily CHAPS-based indicator:
  • Aggregate spending increased by 7%.
  • Delayable spending increased by 8%.
  • Staple spending increased by 7%.
  • Social spending increased by 6%.
  • Work-related spending increased by 2%.
• Monthly CHAPS-based indicator:
  • Seasonally adjusted aggregate spending increased by 0.5% in September 2023 compared to the previous month.
  • Delayable spending decreased by 4%.

Direct Debit Transactions

• Total monthly Direct Debit transaction amount: Unchanged in September 2023 compared to August 2023, increased by 3% compared to September 2022.
• Total Direct Debit failure rate: Broadly unchanged compared to the previous month, increased by 13% compared to September 2022.

Automotive Fuel Spending

• Growth in demand for fuel per transaction: Decreased by 6% compared to the previous week, increased by 10% compared to the equivalent period last year.
• Average growth in fuel prices: Increased by 1% in the week to October 1, 2023, compared to the previous week, remains 34% lower than the equivalent week in 2022.

National Retail Footfall

• Overall footfall: 97% of the previous week.
• Breakdown by destination type: Shopping centers, high streets, and retail parks all experienced a decrease in footfall.

https://www.ons.gov.uk/redir/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpbmRleCI6MiwicGFnZVNpemUiOjEwLCJwYWdlIjoxLCJ1cmkiOiIvcmVsZWFzZXMvZWNvbm9taWNhY3Rpdml0eWFuZHNvY2lhbGNoYW5nZWludGhldWtyZWFsdGltZWluZGljYXRvcnMxMm9jdG9iZXIyMDIzIiwibGlzdFR5cGUiOiJyZWxlYXNlY2FsZW5kYXIifQ.tmWBthd_YQbDpB1DBXZ8pmF4CwKmJ3SNhGSufSvHtsw