Edition 2.1 of the Code of Practice for Statistics introduced alternative release times in May 2022. While the standard release time remains as 9.30am, the change enables producers of official statistics to request approval to publish at a time other than 9.30am if it better serves the public good.
Applications are considered by the Director General for Regulation considering the evidence provided by the head of profession for statistics on user need, independence, transparency, and the orderliness of the release.
Further information about alternative release times is given in our policy page.
Practice T3.6 states:
Statistics should be available to all users at the same time. The standard release time is 9.30am on a weekday. In circumstances when it better serves the public good for statistics to be released at an alternative time, the Director General for Regulation may approve the change. The time of release (whether the standard time or an alternative agreed with the Director General for Regulation) should be announced in advance and adhered to consistently.
Alternative release times considered by the Director General for Regulation on behalf of the UK Statistics Authority
Producer |
Statistics |
Decision (approved or rejected) |
Date considered (yyyy/mm/dd) |
Topic area(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office for National Statistics | Transformation of UK consumer price statistics, groceries scanner data analysis, April 2025 | Approved | 2025/04/23 | Economy, Business and Trade |
| Office for National Statistics | Productivity Overview Statistics | Approved | 2024/02/15 | Economy, Business and Trade |
| UK Health Security Agency | National Flu and COVID-19 surveillance reports | Approved | 2023/10/04 | Health and Social Care |
| Office for National Statistics | Public Sector Classification Guide and Forward Work Plan [extended for energy bills support scheme] | Approved | 2023/03/30 | Economy |
| Office for National Statitics | Public Sector Classification Guide and Forward Work Plan | Approved | 2022/08/26 | Economy |
| Office for National Statistics | CPIH-consistent inflation rate estimates for UK household groups | Approved | 2022/08/24 | Economy |
| Office for National Statistics | UK Trust in Government Survey report | Approved | 2022/06/29 | Population and Society |
| Welsh Government | Welsh Government’s Census 2021 topic summaries for Wales | Approved – now reverted to 9.30am release time | 2022/10/14 | Population and Society |
| Welsh Government | Welsh Government’s Population and household estimates for Wales | Approved | 2022/06/22 | Population and Society |
| National Records of Scotland | Weekly deaths involving COVID-19 for week commencing 30 May 2022 | Approved | 2022/05/20 | Population and Society |
| Office for National Statistics | Census 2021 data in England and Wales | Approved | 2022/05/13 | Population and Society |
| Scottish Government | COVID-19 Infection Survey Results | Approved | 2022/05/05 | Health and Social Care |
| HM Revenue and Customs | Tax receipts and National Insurance contributions for the UK, Earnings and employment from Pay As You Earn Real Time Information | Approved | 2022/04/26 | Economy |
| HM Revenue and Customs | VAT gap estimates | Approved | 2022/04/26 | Economy |
| UK Health Security Agency | Seasonal flu and COVID vaccine uptake statistics | Approved | 2022/04/08 | Health and Social Care |
| Department of Health, Northern Ireland | Vaccination status statistics | Approved | 2021/11/15 | Health and Social Care |
| Office for National Statistics | Coronavirus (COVID-19) weekly insights: Key health indicators in England | Approved | 2020/11/27 | Health and Social Care |
| Welsh Government | COVID-19 Infection Survey Results | Approved | 2020/09/29 | Health and Social Care |
| Department of Health, Northern Ireland | COVID-19 Infection Survey Results | Approved | 2020/09/29 | Health and Social Care |
| Office for National Statistics | Coronavirus (Covid-19) Infection Survey statistics | Approved | 2020/07/17 | Health and Social Care |
| Department for Education | Attendance at education and childcare setting during coronavirus outbreak | Approved | 2020/06/19 | Children, Education and Skills |
| Department of Health, Northern Ireland | Daily COVID-19 statistics dashboard | Approved | 2020/05/01 | Health and Social Care |
| Public Health Scotland | Weekly COVID-19 report | Approved | 2020/04/24 | Health and Social Care |
| Welsh Government | Key economic statistics | Approved | 2020/03/27 | Economy |
| Scottish Government | Labour market, public sector employment statistics - key economic stats | Approved | 2020/03/27 | Economy |
| Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency | Market sensitive economic statistics - Labour Market Report (Monthly) Quarterly Employment Survey |
Approved | 2020/03/27 | Economy |
| Office for National Statistics | Market sensitive economic statistics | Approved | 2020/03/24 | Economy |
| Welsh Government | Mid-year population estimates, Electoral roll statistics, National population projections | Approved | 2018/03/22 | Population and Society |
| Department for Education | Key stage 2 assessment results | Approved | 2016/07/05 | Children, Education and Skills |
| Home Office | Scientific Procedures on Living Animals | Approved | 2015/06/25 | Crime and Security |
Feedback
We are constantly aiming to improve our service and appreciate any feedback you may have regarding our alternative release times and how they are presented. Please use the form below to share your thoughts with us:
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