Ed Humpherson to John Wilkins: Asylum Seeker Hotel Population Statistics

Dear John,

Thank you for your letter informing me of the unscheduled release of an internal Home Office figure that appears similar to an upcoming official statistic from the Asylum Seeker Hotel Population Statistics series. I agree with your view that this is a breach of the Code of Practice for Statistics.

I note your reasons for deciding not to produce an ad-hoc release for the figure in line with published guidance on the use of statistics during an election period. Whilst this is an unexpected release of a figure during the pre-election period, the figure was not an official statistic in its final form, and therefore I support your decision to continue with the planned orderly release of the Asylum Seeker Hotel Population Statistics series on 21 May and monitor for any continued use of the unvalidated figure.

In line with reporting concerns under the Code of Practice for Statistics, I welcome your additional action in response to the release by informing your users through the Statistics at Home office webpage.

Thank you for your openness. My team will remain in contact should there be any further developments.

Yours sincerely,

Ed Humpherson
Director General for OSR