Dear Ed,

Developing a modern statistical system – A review of Scotland’s Census 2022 – second progress update

I last wrote to you at the end of May to update on progress made in implementing the recommendations from our internal review of the Census. At that point, I indicated that I would provide further details of our plans to develop a leadership training offer for senior statisticians (recommendation 2), building on the successful programme already developed for lower grades.

We have made great progress on this over the past three months and developed a proposal to further strengthen the skills, build the confidence, support collaboration and career progression of senior statisticians. The intention is to run a development session every second month on specific topics which will be wide-ranging and evolve over time. Before the session, seniors will be asked to engage with foundational content to build knowledge. The session itself will be interactive to encourage active learning. After the session, seniors will be randomly paired to have a further conversation, embed the learning and consider how to apply it. These development sessions will commence in early September with the first focusing on intent-based leadership.

In addition to leadership training, we have been working on processes for statistical approval and assurance (recommendation 4). This includes clearly setting out the circumstances in which statistical matters should be escalated to the Office of the Chief Statistician (OCS). This will ensure that OCS are involved to provide sufficient assurance where it is needed, including in relation to Cross-cutting statistical components (recommendation 1) necessary for an integrated statistical system. We are currently seeking feedback internally with a view to promoting the process across the Statistics Group from September. We have already discussed this with Penny Babb at OSR and will continue to engage as we move forward, including sharing the final version when it is available.

Over the remainder of the year we will build on this progress in taking forward work on recommendation 3. We will promote the cross-cutting statistical components and support producers of official statistics in identifying and mitigating risks to the delivery of these important products.

The implementation of these recommendations has already formed an important and helpful part of our statistical modernisation agenda which will make a difference to the statistics group in Scotland going forward. I will provide a final update on progress in February 2026 but am, of course, happy to discuss any aspect of this in the meantime.

Yours sincerely

Alastair McAlpine