Economic activity and social change in the UK, real-time indicators - 16 October 2025

16th October 2025

Over a quarter (28%) of trading businesses reported that economic uncertainty is currently impacting their turnover; this is unchanged from the previous month (initial results from Wave 142 of the Business Insights and Conditions Survey).

The total number of ship visits to major UK ports increased by 9% in the week to 12 October 2025 compared with the previous week, returning to normal levels after storm Amy, but remained broadly unchanged when compared with the equivalent week of 2024 (exactEarth).

The seasonally adjusted number of daily UK flights remained broadly unchanged in the week to 12 October 2025, compared with the previous week, but increased by 1% when compared with the equivalent week of 2024 (EUROCONTROL).

The System Average Price (SAP) of gas increased by 9% in the week to 12 October 2025 compared with the previous week, from 2.613 pence per kilowatt hour (p/kWh) to 2.841 p/kWh, but decreased by 14% compared with the equivalent week of last year (National Gas Transmission).

The number of Energy Performance building Certificates (EPCs) lodged in England and Wales for new dwellings increased by 14% in the week to 12 October 2025, compared with the previous week, and increased by 7% when compared with the equivalent week of 2024 (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government).

Read the full ONS report HERE