The contribution of the professions to the UK is ‘comprehensively undervalued’, according to a new study commissioned by the Law Society and other professional bodies.

The public interest in peril?, published this week, estimates that roughly 8% of UK GDP and 11.5% of employment emanate directly from professions. They also account for roughly half of Britain’s balance of trade in ­services.

Commissioned by the Law Society, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, the study was produced by communications and research consultancy Spada.

Professions are losing out to groups such as the CBI in getting their views heard and need to develop ‘a unified voice on many policy areas’, it says. The difficulties of influencing the government over home information packs exemplified the problem.

Law Society president Paul Marsh said: ‘This survey highlights the need for the professional bodies in England and Wales to unite to promote our contribution to society and the professional economy.’