OSR is the UK’s regulator for official statistics and data. It operates separately from all statistical producers, including ONS. OSR’s separation is protected as follows:
The Office for Statistics Regulation is headed by a Director General. The current Director General for Regulation is Ed Humpherson.
The Director General reports directly to the Chair of the UK Statistics Authority Board, Sir Robert Chote. The Director General therefore does not report to anyone in a statistical production role nor any Ministerially-led Department.
OSR’s work is overseen by the Board’s regulation committee (made up of non-executive directors, and with no statistical producer in attendance)
OSR’s budget is proposed by the Board’s regulation committee and endorsed by the Board. There is no budget oversight or capacity to challenge budget proposals from ONS.
The Director General, and OSR, have wide discretion in regulating compliance with the Code of Practice, and reporting concerns and highlighting good practice publicly.
