SSIC Section P – Public administration and defence

Companies in this section carry out work of a government nature, such as making and applying laws, running public programmes, defence and keeping public order.

The work includes tax and customs, public finance, national statistics, foreign affairs, defence, police, courts, prisons and civil defence. It also covers the administration and regulation of public policy in areas such as transport, housing, health, education, the environment and labour.

What counts is the type of activity, not who carries it out. A public body that teaches students or runs a hospital is classified under education or health, and some activities in this section, such as correctional homes, can be run by private firms under contract.

Commonly registered businesses

• Public administration of economic, social and environmental programmes (84120)
• Other public order and safety work, such as fishing patrols (84239)
• Civil defence, fire-fighting and rescue services (84235)