The Office for National Statistics (ONS), the UK’s official statistical agency, is under immense internal pressure. These issues erode its credibility and therefore its effectiveness. A new independent government review, chaired by Sir Robert Devereux, has shone a spotlight on these underlying problems. This illustrates the critical need for a new approach to leadership, staffing, and operating practices in order to restore public confidence and trust.
Originally commissioned in April by the UK government, the independent probe looked into all aspects of the ONS’s management and operations. Sir Robert Devereux, the former permanent secretary of the agency, found major endemic issues in the agency’s systemic failures. He connected these challenges to choices made at the top over a number of years. The review underscores the necessity for the ONS to address staff concerns, including ongoing disputes regarding a return to the office environment post-pandemic.
Devereux found that the ONS has a hard time recruiting and retaining qualified analysts. Unfortunately, this challenge is exacerbated by their relatively low pay scales. This compensation injustice is not just a barrier to recruiting new hires — it impacts staff morale and overall stability within the agency. Our review underscored that addressing these staffing challenges is a critical step for the ONS to increase its operational capacity.
In a shock outcome, ONS chief Sir Ian Diamond announced his immediate resignation. He has struggled with personal health issues. Emma Rourke, the agency’s acting National Statistician, now heads the agency following his exit. She supported Devereux’s report and admitted the concerns were valid. Rourke said that he was committed to addressing these issues and making the needed changes inside the organization.
The review further recommended that the ONS be allowed to seek savings of £10 million per year through operational changes. This financial reprioritization would help to direct financial resources into areas that would improve the agency’s operations at a base level and public-facing service. The ONS is under serious pressure to save hundreds of millions of pounds. Its current funding is unlikely to even maintain the system, let alone allow for meaningfully improved infrastructure and services.
The recent 2023 spending review took those challenges on the chin. It provided additional resources to reinforce the UK’s statistical system as it prepares for the next 2031 census. This financial jab ensures to contemporaryize their operation. It will assist the ONS in meeting its statutory duty to provide full, impartial and timely statistical information.
Despite the increased funding for census preparations, many stakeholders remain concerned about the overall sustainability of ONS funding, especially as its budget faces inflationary pressures. This situation raises questions about how effectively the agency can implement necessary reforms and maintain its standards amidst financial constraints.
Robert Cuffe, the Head of Statistics at BBC News, blogged and tweeted in-depth when Devereux’s review was leaked. In addition to paying tribute, he focused on the dangerous situation now surrounding the ONS. This review has expanded past simple management. It serves a critical role, maintaining public trust in the statistical data that underpins government policy and decision-making.