National Statistics confirmation: Sickness Absence in Northern Ireland Civil Service statistics

Dear Siobhan

ASSESSMENT OF SICKNESS ABSENCE IN NORTHERN IRELAND CIVIL SERVICE STATISTICS

We have reviewed the actions that your team has taken to address the requirements in the Assessment Report 342 on Sickness Absence in Northern Ireland Civil Service Statistics.

On behalf of the Board of the UK Statistics Authority, I am pleased to confirm the designation of National Statistics for the NISRA Sickness Absence in Northern Ireland Civil Service Statistics. Given the actions taken, you may retrospectively apply this to the most recent publication dated 20 June 2019.

During the course of the assessment the team responsible for producing the statistics showed great commitment to the improvement of these statistics. We commend the team for bringing forward the publication date of the statistics and for publishing the full report to this quicker timetable, thereby increasing the value of the statistics. We welcome the progress made in ensuring collaborative engagement with key stakeholders and look forward to seeing the actions taken because of this process.

We have included more detail about our judgement in an annex to this letter. If necessary I, or my team, would be happy to talk you or your colleagues through any aspects of this letter or Code compliance more generally.

National Statistics status means that official statistics meet the highest standards of trustworthiness, quality and value and is something to be celebrated. We invite you to include a statement alongside the statistics which reflects the National Statistics status.

I am copying this letter to Tracy Power, Director of Analysis (NISRA); Danielle Clarke, HR Consultancy Services (NISRA) and Ruth Fulton, Head of NISRA Statistical Support and Business Planning.

Your sincerely

Ed Humpherson
Director General for Regulation