Ed Humpherson to Alison Woodhouse: Review of HMRC statistics

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Sent from: Office for Statistics Regulation

Sent to: HM Revenue & Customs

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Dear Alison

Review of HMRC statistics

Thank you for your letter and for sharing HMRC’s report, HMRC Statistics: Raising our Performance. I welcome the publication of the review and HMRC’s open and constructive engagement with us and other stakeholders throughout the process. 

The report provides clear evidence on the causes of the errors and the action HMRC has taken, and plans to take, to strengthen the quality of its official statistics. I particularly welcome the commitment from HMRC’s analytical senior leadership team to oversee implementation, the continuation of cross-government scrutiny, and your intention to provide regular progress updates. We also note that a high-priority action for public sector finances has been implemented in direct consultation with the ONS teams concerned.

As your teams take this work forward, sustained attention to the cultural changes identified in the report will be important, including visible leadership, transparency and constructive challenge throughout statistical production. We welcome the positive changes already underway and will continue to engage with Sean Whellams and his team as the implementation plan is developed and the recommendations are delivered.

The review and subsequent progress updates will inform our consideration of the residual risks and next steps for our own work, including the accreditation for trade statistics. We look forward to continuing to work constructively with you and your colleagues as these improvements are embedded.  I am also copying this letter to Sean Whellams, HMRC’s Head of Profession for Statistics.

Yours sincerely

Ed Humpherson
Director General for OSR

Alison Woodhouse to Ed Humpherson: Review of HMRC Statistics