Presented by Brodie Gillan, University of Strathclyde
The voluntary sector makes a vital contribution to the UK’s economy and society, yet its role is still underrepresented in official statistics. In the National Accounts, the sector is only partially captured through the category of Non-Profit Institutions Serving Households (NPISH) – covering charities, higher and further education institutions, trade unions, and political parties. However, this approach misses large parts of the picture, including many market-facing charities, cooperatives, and social enterprises.
This webinar introduced new research from the Fraser of Allander Institute. This provides the first comprehensive documentation of how NPISH is measured in the UK National Accounts. The project reviews data sources, methods, and classifications, identifying key challenges such as:
- Gaps in coverage
- Inconsistent use of charity registers across the UK
- Methodological shortcomings
The research also sets out short, medium, and long-term recommendations to improve accuracy, transparency, and consistency in NPISH estimates.
Beyond the technical review, the webinar explored the bigger picture: how improved measurement could underpin the development of a voluntary sector satellite account. Already adopted in countries such as Canada, Belgium, and New Zealand, this account would enable fuller recognition of volunteering, social enterprises, and the wider impact of civic participation.
Presenter bio
Brodie Gillan is an Associate Economist at the Fraser of Allander Institute, based in the Department of Economics at the University of Strathclyde.
Chair: Paul Schreyer, ESCoE
Discussant: Ian Macrory, ONS