Dear Alastair
In July 2022, we wrote to you following our compliance check of the Scottish Health and Wellbeing Census in July 2022. In this letter, we requested that the Scottish Government review its approach to developing questions for the Health and Wellbeing Census and that the outcomes of this review be made publicly available.
To date, some 30 months later, the outcomes of this review have still not been made public. The publication of this information is key to providing users with important methodological information that will support transparency and trust in the Scottish Government. We request that the Scottish Government publish the outcomes of this review within the next 30 days. If this deadline is not met, we will take steps to escalate this issue to a ministerial level.
I also consider that there is a broader question surrounding your role as the Chief Statistician for Scotland. The Code of Practice for Statistics sets a requirement for ‘independent decision making and leadership’ on statistical matters like the ones at issue in this case. I would welcome a response from you that provides assurance on the processes and governance within the Scottish Government that allow you to carry out this role effectively.
Yours sincerely
Ed Humpherson
Director General for OSR