Table 7.5 shows the number of VAT and/or PAYE registered businesses classified under forestry and primary wood processing. The headings shown potentially include businesses not traditionally regarded as forestry or primary wood processing, and some businesses traditionally included in forestry and primary wood processing are excluded as they are classified to other headings of the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC).

A total of 3,925 forestry businesses, 555 sawmilling businesses, 125 wood-based panel businesses and 230 pulp & paper businesses were registered for VAT and/or PAYE purposes in the UK in 2015.

There has been an overall increase in forestry businesses over the last ten years, whilst sawmilling and pulp and paper businesses have declined.

Source: UK Business: Activity, Size and Location (Office for National Statistics, October 2015).

Notes:

1. All figures are rounded by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to the nearest multiple of 5.

2. Categories are based on the UK Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) categories. 2006-2008 data are based on SIC 2003; 2009-2015 data are based on SIC 2007. Given the changes in classifications, the time series may not be fully consistent. Further details on the SIC codes used are provided in the Sources: Employment and businesses page.