Annual Business Survey .. what a pain!

[Doodle-Noodle]

I've just received from the Office for National Statistics an Annual Business Survey 2010 form for completion requiring 13 pages of information from me about my business.
I've never come across this before - it's really detailed and going to be time consuming to complete, AND they're going to fine me if I don't complete and return it by 4th May.
I could really do without this ... I've already got a mountain of paperwork to deal with and this is just another load of stuff to worry about which won't give my business any benefit whatsoever.
Not really asking for advice as such as it obviously just has to be done so will have to grit my teeth and just bloody do it, but thought I'd just have a rant about it. Anyone else got one?

 

[deniser]

I've never heard of this. Is it compulsory to fill it in? Is it distributed randomly?

 

[Wendell Zuchs]

Well, as you said, it was compulsory to fill up those 13 pages survey papers. Though it's probably time consuming if you fill up all those papers. Just think positive that if you fill up those survey papers, it will come up an accurate survey for all business this year.

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

I don't know - I assumed everyone on here would be familiar with it, that it was just me being thick who wasn't expecting it.
It says "You are required by Law to complete this questionnaire" on the front and looks official enough however I've just Googled it and nothing has come up, visited the Office for National Statistics' website and searched for the survey and there are "no results" .........
The form asks for details of total turnover, retail turnover, commodity breakdown of retail cover, expenditure, employment costs, energy costs, goods materials & servics costs, taxes, duties & levies paid, value of stock held, capital expenditure ...... I could go on and on, there's loads of info required and it's cmplex stuff that I will in all honesty really struggle to give without paying extra to the accountant to help me with it!
I can't understand half the questions!
I'm assuming this is a legit form .........

 

[deniser]

I googled it too but it didn't give much info, only that it is to be completed by businesses registered for VAT/PAYE, but didn't say if everyone or just a sample. We've been registered for years but never received one.

 

[estwig]

I had to do one, waste of time, didn't try too hard with the answers. Scribbled some rubbish and throw it back at 'em.

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

I had to do one, waste of time, didn't try too hard with the answers. Scribbled some rubbish and throw it back at 'em.

Did they come round with "the Boys" to break your legs as penance for not taking them seriously or were they happy with what you sent back? I've been thinking I have to get everything 100% accurate if I want to avoid being sent to The Tower, but if I could rely on a bit of educated guessworking it would certainly make things much less stressful!
If this form doesn't get sent out to every business, then perhaps the National Office for Statistic has secret lurkers on this forum that know my business has been suffering from "quiet days" and therefore thinks I have nothing better to do!!!!!

 

[MikeJ]

Looks genuine....

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/abi1110.pdf

... but you've got to wonder why it's not done online, rather than you filling it in long hand, and then someone at that end transcribes it on to a computer.

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

Looks genuine....

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/abi1110.pdf

... but you've got to wonder why it's not done online, rather than you filling it in long hand, and then someone at that end transcribes it on to a computer.

Good point - what a waste of time and tax-payers money - they've even told me what colour pen to use!

 

[estwig]

Did they come round with "the Boys" to break your legs as penance for not taking them seriously or were they happy with what you sent back? I've been thinking I have to get everything 100% accurate if I want to avoid being sent to The Tower, but if I could rely on a bit of educated guessworking it would certainly make things much less stressful!
If this form doesn't get sent out to every business, then perhaps the National Office for Statistic has secret lurkers on this forum that know my business has been suffering from "quiet days" and therefore thinks I have nothing better to do!!!!!

My thinking was, 'we all make mistakes'

What they gonna do about it?

What they gonna check it against, to know if it's right? If they could check it, why are they asking if they already have the info!

 

[LicensedToTrade]

What UK Companies legislation did they quote that says you can be fined for not completing it?

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

What UK Companies legislation did they quote that says you can be fined for not completing it?

Section 4 of the Statistics of Trade Act 1947 ........ see? Scary!!

 

[LicensedToTrade]

Section 4 of the Statistics of Trade Act 1947 ........ see? Scary!!

In that case I would comply. Take a look here at the prosecution rates over the years for failure to comply.

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2005-11-17c.28271.h

(AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE )

There is also an older thread about it on here http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=24401

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

In that case I would comply. Take a look here at the prosecution rates over the years for failure to comply.

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2005-11-17c.28271.h

(AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE )

There is also an older thread about it on here http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=24401

Oh dear, it's serious stuff isnt it? Thanks for that info though - hadn't seen the previous thread ... it does tell me on the form that once I've completed and returned this form I will be excluded from further business surveys for the next 3 years though .... happy days

 

[LicensedToTrade]

I will be excluded from further business surveys for the next 3 years though .... happy days

Lucky old you eh?