In our latest blog, Director General for OSR, Ed Humpherson looks at the importance of intelligent transparency for Governments across the UK.
Intelligent transparency is one of the most important set of principles that we uphold. When statistics and quantitative claims are used in public debate, they should enhance understanding of the topics being debated and not be used in a way that has the potential to mislead. To help those making use of data in public debate, we have set out our three underpinning principles of intelligent transparency. These principles demand that statistical claims and statements are based on data to which everyone has equal access, are clearly and transparently defined, and for which there is appropriate acknowledgement of any uncertainties and relevant context.
We have promoted intelligent transparency to the UK Government and the Governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. And the Chair of the UK Statistics Authority, Sir Robert Chote, set it out clearly in his letter to political party leaders ahead of the 2024 general election. We have also made a number of interventions to support the principle of equal access.
Intelligent transparency in conference speeches
Equal access means that all statements involving statistics or data must be based on publicly available data, preferably the latest available official statistics where possible. Claims should not be made based on data to which ministers have privileged access, as this prevents the claims from being scrutinised and undermines confidence in official statistics.
We recognise that conference speeches by Ministers in particular can be difficult, as noted in this blog we published in September. Ministers want to highlight policy successes to their party members, but they do not have the input of the civil servants who would normally ensure that their statements use statistics and data appropriately.
In this context, we were recently made aware of a statement made by the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer at the Labour Party Conference regarding immigration returns. The claim in question was that there has been “a 23 per cent increase in returns of people who have no right to be here, compared with last summer”. At the time the Prime Minister made this claim there was no Home Office data or statistics available in the public domain for the relevant time period to support this statement.
The importance of publishing data used in the public domain
Following the statement made by the Prime Minister, we engaged with the Home Office and we welcome the ad-hoc statistical release published by the Home Office, which provides the underlying data that relate to this statement. In most cases we would want to see the release of unpublished data very soon after the statement itself. But we do understand that sometimes, as in this case, providing the underlying data in a usable format may take longer. We consider that the approach taken by the Home Office is in line with the principles of intelligent transparency. It is a good example of how to resolve a situation when unpublished information has found its way into a speech.
Working with Government to ensure best practice
We are using this example as an opportunity to re-emphasise the importance of intelligent transparency to a range of audiences, including Heads of Profession for Statistics, the wider Government Analysis Function, and the Government Communications Service. We have also discussed the issue with officials in Number 10, who have confirmed the importance they attach to appropriate use of data. We are happy to provide support and advice to departments on the principles of intelligent transparency for analysts, communication professions, special advisers, and any other colleagues who may benefit. To discuss this with us please contact us via regulation@statistics.gov.uk.
For all Governments, it is important to avoid the use of unpublished information in the public domain. We are always happy to work with officials and advisers to embed good habits of intelligent transparency as fully as possible.