The UK's 3598 Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released data showing that fewer journeys were made during the recession. According to the ONS study of the transport chapter of Social Trends, there was a big fall in the number of journeys made by all modes of transport between 2008 and 2009. A total of 58.6 million trips were made abroad by UK residents in 2009, a decrease of 15.1% on 2008. Between 2007 and 2009 in Great Britain there was a 9.6% decrease in the number of business trips and a 9.1% decrease in the number of commuting trips made. In 2009 around 1.9 billion tonnes of freight was lifted within Great Britain, over 80% of which was by road. Between 2008 and 2009 total freight decreased by 15% and road freight fell by 17%. International freight handled decreased by 10.4% while domestic freight handled decreased by 6.7%. Commenting, Social Trends editor Jen Beaumont said, "As the figures show, people made fewer journeys between 2008 and 2009 across all types of transport. Noticeably, it comes at a time when people were tightening their belts during an economic downturn." The chapter also highlights recent increases in the prices of petrol and diesel.
