The Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) has published new guidance aimed at supporting the use and understanding of statistics during election campaigns, as elections take place across England, Scotland and Wales this May.
The guidance is intended to support public confidence in statistics at a time when numbers and claims are frequently used to influence democratic debate. Public confidence is strongest when people are able to verify statistical claims and understand how figures are being presented.
OSR has updated its series of election explainer statements on topics including health, the economy and migration. These draw on our experience of investigating the use of statistics in public debate and have been refreshed to reflect issues particularly relevant to Scotland and Wales.
The guidance also includes a short video setting out five simple questions to ask yourself to help navigate statistical claims in election campaigns.
These are:
- Do the statistics seem wildly unlikely or too good to be true?
- Does the claim logically follow from the statistics quoted?
- Is the source for the figure in the public domain?
- Has the figure been quoted without any context or background?
- Where comparisons are made, are they comparing like-for-like?
Anyone can raise a concern about the use of statistics during the election period. Information about OSR’s remit and how to raise a concern is available via our election page.
Notes to editors:
- Penny Young, the Deputy Chair of the UK Statistics Authority has written to the Leaders of Political Parties in advance of May 2026 Elections, as a reminder to ensure use of statistics is transparent during all campaigning across England, Scotland and Wales.
- The Standards for the Public Use of Statistics, Data and Wider Analysis (from the Code of Practice for Statistics) make these public expectations clear. Statistical claims should be presented clearly and transparently, so that the public can test the arguments that political candidates make.
- As the independent regulator of official statistics, OSR has a statutory role in promoting and safeguarding the appropriate use of statistics in public debate, particularly during election periods when claims about performance, policy and public services are under heightened scrutiny.
- OSR’s threshold for public intervention is raised during a pre-election period. The guiding principle for intervening will be if a statement is materially wrong or misleading to the point it could significantly impact on the political debates that are presented to voters.
If you need further information or have a media enquiry, please contact regulation@statistics.gov.uk