The Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) has today published the final phase of its assessment of the 2021 Census in England and Wales. This phase of the assessment focused on the extent to which ONS met the requirements we set out in 2022 and how well census publications have met user needs.
This assessment found that the Office for National Statistics (ONS) delivered census outputs in a timely and accessible way, despite the unprecedented challenge of conducting the census during the COVID-19 pandemic, meeting most user needs.
In this report we recognise ONS’s ambitious and innovative approach to Census 2021. Many users commented positively on ONS’s data visualisation tools, for example, the “create a custom dataset” tool.
ONS also responded well to the requirements outlined in OSR’s phase 2 report. This included carrying out a wide range of user engagement activities and the provision of sufficient documentation on quality and methods.
OSR has identified a gap in ONS’s work around the considerations users should make on the impact of the pandemic when using the data and have therefore set out a requirement which we expect ONS to address within 6 months. Subject to ONS meeting our expectations for this requirement, we can reconfirm the accreditation of the 2021 Census in England and Wales outputs.
OSR has also identified six recommendations for ONS to take forward in future work in population statistics. Addressing these recommendations will pay a part in ensuring that population statistics continue to meet the standards of Trustworthiness, Quality and Value set out in the Code of Practice for Statistics.
In September 2024 gender identity statistics from the 2021 England and Wales Census were de-accredited. This review does not further consider the gender identity statistics based on census data.
Ed Humpherson, Director General for the Office for Statistics Regulation said:
“Our review recognises the positive steps ONS has taken in its engagement and making census data accessible. We will continue to work with ONS to monitor its progress in meeting our requirement to provide additional information to users on the impact of the pandemic on the census dataset.”
Notes to Editors
The Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) provides independent regulation of all official statistics produced in the UK, and aims to enhance public confidence in the trustworthiness, quality and value of statistics produced by government. OSR regulates statistics by setting the standards official statistics must meet in the Code of Practice for Statistics. We ensure that producers of official statistics uphold these standards by conducting assessments against the Code. Those which meet the standards are given accredited official statistics status, indicating that they meet the highest standards of trustworthiness, quality and value. We also report publicly on systemwide issues and on the way that statistics are being used, celebrating when the standards are upheld and challenging publicly when they are not.
OSR is independent from government ministers, and separate from producers of statistics, including the Office for National Statistics (ONS). OSR’s Director General, Ed Humpherson, reports directly to the Chair of the UK Statistics Authority Board, Sir Robert Chote. The Director General, and OSR, have wide discretion in highlighting good practice and reporting concerns with the production and use of statistics publicly.
OSR’s work is overseen by the Board’s regulation committee (made up of non-executive directors, and with no statistical producer in attendance). OSR’s budget is proposed by the Board’s regulation committee and endorsed by the Board.
For media enquiries please email regulation@statistics.gov.uk