Dear Grant,

We have completed our review of the UK trade statistics produced by Office for National Statistics (ONS). This report focused on reviewing the progress ONS has made in improving the trade statistics since their de-accreditation in 2014.

Since 2014, ONS has made significant progress on improving the UK trade statistics and has successfully increased the frequency, coverage and granularity of outputs. ONS has undertaken extensive work and international engagement to better understand and reduce trade asymmetries. While ONS has been committed to developing the UK trade statistics, we recognise that resource constraints have recently hindered further progress.

We identified four requirements that ONS must fulfil before we will consider re-accrediting the statistics. These are improving information around and analysing revisions to the trade in services estimates, including considering whether there is bias in early estimates; bringing together existing work on trade asymmetries; updating quality and methodology information; and reviewing resources and improving systems. These four requirements supersede the requirements from the assessment report in 2015.

I would like to thank your team for their positive contribution and engagement throughout the assessment process. We look forward to continuing to work with you and your team as you work to fulfil these requirements.

I am copying this letter to Chloe Gibbs, Deputy Director of Global Trade and Investment statistics.

Yours sincerely,

Ed Humpherson
Director General for OSR