The UK’s Office of National Statistics (ONS) is undertaking a root and branch review. This comes on the heels of serious complaints regarding the reliability of its economic statistics. Ethical issues aside, the ONS is now aware of significant errors in its stats. In particular, the labour force survey has been under attack for a long time. This review, led by Sir Robert Devereux, aims to assess the effectiveness of the ONS in delivering its core statistics that influence policies and decisions impacting millions across the nation.
The ONS has said that it remains committed to working closely with the review process. It very much appreciates the extensive suggestions that it received to focus its limited resources on enhancing the reliability of its data. Efforts by the ONS to ensure accuracy are certainly laudable. By next year, they’re hoping to roll out a new alternative labour data series. This initiative comes in response to the declining response rates observed during the Covid-19 pandemic, which have compounded challenges in data collection.
Data from the ONS serves as a crucial foundation for decisions made by various government departments, including the Treasury and the Cabinet Office. As Sir Robert Chote, chair of the UK Statistics Authority, has put it, this is crucial data. Perhaps most dramatically, he explained, it drives decisions that affect the entire workforce and public.
During the review process, the ONS’s relationships with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) will be examined. Furthermore, a review of its organisational culture, structure and leadership will be carried out to determine shortcomings requiring rectification.
“assess the effectiveness of the ONS in delivering its core statistics” – Sir Robert Devereux
The UK Statistics Authority has been closely monitoring this review. They know that credible national statistics are the foundation upon which public trust is built, and we can govern only with that trust. The ONS has been tasked with publishing a new strategic business plan to further outline its objectives and methodologies moving forward.