This report assesses the economic contribution of the industries represented by the British Allied Trades Federation (BATF). It was commissioned by BATF, representing the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ), the Surface Engineering Association (SEA), and the Home and Gift Association (HGA), and conducted independently by the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde.
Using a detailed model of the UK economy, the report estimates the contribution these industries make to UK gross value added and employment. The analysis combines Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code analysis with Input-Output modelling techniques to estimate both the direct contribution of these sectors and the wider spillover effects they support.
The findings demonstrate that the industries represented by BATF make a substantial contribution to the UK economy, supporting economic activity across manufacturing, retail, wholesale, design, and related professional services.
Once wider spillover effects are included, we estimate that:
- The jewellery production, trade, and repair sector contributes around £9.8 billion in gross value added (GVA) to the UK, supporting over 130,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs.
- The surface engineering industry contributes £2.9 billion in GVA to the UK economy, supporting a total of 36,500 FTE jobs.
- Gift economy expenditure supports around £58.2 billion in GVA and around 844,500 FTE jobs.
Collectively:
- The industries supported by the British Allied Trades Federation contribute £70.2 billion in GVA to the UK economy and support over 1 million FTE jobs.
Alongside highlighting the significant contribution of BATF-represented industries to the UK economy and the diversity of economic activity within these broad areas, this report provides a transparent and replicable framework for tracking these sectors over time.
Each modelling exercise requires a bespoke approach, with its own strengths and limitations. Many activities span multiple sectors, are embedded within wider supply chains, or are defined by consumer behaviour rather than by the characteristics of the goods themselves. This is particularly evident in surface engineering, which supports strategically important industries despite often sitting outside dedicated SIC classifications, and in the gift economy, which cuts across a wide range of retail activities.
To address these challenges, the report combines economic modelling with case studies that illustrate the diversity of firms and business models represented across BATF member associations, from independent craft producers to nationally recognised retailers and advanced manufacturing businesses.
Some overlap exists between the sectors analysed, particularly between the gift economy and the retail component of the jewellery sector. As a result, the combined BATF-wide estimate should be interpreted as broad rather than strictly additive. Overall, the findings highlight the important role played by the industries represented by BATF in supporting economic activity, innovation, employment, and consumer demand across the UK economy.
Authors
Jack is an associate economist at the Fraser of Allander Institute.
Aidan is a Knowledge Exchange Assistant at the Fraser of Allander Institute.