Ed Humpherson to Sir Ian Diamond: Review of economic statistics produced by ONS

Dear Sir Ian,

Review of economic statistics produced by the Office for National Statistics

We have now published an interim report as part of our review of economic statistics produced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) setting out our findings. This review is focusing on data sources for economic statistics, stakeholder needs and engagement, and organisational factors. This report focuses primarily on data sources.

The overall aim of the report is to offer constructive requirements to help ONS address the stakeholder concerns and the risk of a growing loss of confidence. The report establishes the case for four requirements:

Publish a fully resourced plan to recover its social survey operation and reduce risk in its business survey operation to restore the confidence of its user.
Develop a clearer strategic articulation of the purpose and priorities for economic statistics.
Develop and publish a regularly updated vision and strategy for the data sources used to compile its economic statistics.
Take a more strategic and systematic approach to quality reviews of its data sources.

Taken together, these four requirements provide an opportunity for ONS to show that it is addressing stakeholder concerns. To establish the case for these requirements we have set out in the report the range of stakeholder and regulatory concerns. We have also sought to highlight the continuing areas of strength within ONS and the progress that has been made across a range of outputs.

We will review the progress that ONS makes in response to this report, including the requirements set out in it, and publish our findings in the autumn.

Thank you to your team for its positive engagement during this review. I am copying this letter to Philippa Bonay, Director for Operations, Grant Fitzner, Director Macroeconomic and Environment Statistics and Analysis, Liz McKeown, Director Economic Statistics Production and Analysis, and Rachel Skentelbery, Deputy Director Quality and Improvement.

Yours sincerely

Ed Humpherson
Director General for OSR