The Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) has published its final report on the review of statistics on gender identity, based on data collected as part of the 2021 England and Wales Census.
During our engagement on this review, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) wrote to us to request that the gender identity estimates from Census 2021 should no longer be accredited official statistics and should instead be classified as official statistics in development.
Our review has concluded that the Census 2021 gender identity statistics published by ONS do not comply with important quality aspects of the Code of Practice for Statistics. Today we wrote to ONS and confirmed the cancellation of the accreditation of these statistics. We support ONS’s view that these should instead be classified as official statistics in development.
We found that the issues highlighted in this report are unique to the statistics on gender identity. All other outputs from the Census 2021 in England and Wales are unaffected by this decision and remain designated as accredited official statistics (previously called National Statistics).
Following the first release of census statistics on gender identity in England and Wales, concerns were raised publicly with ONS and with us about the published estimates of the trans population. As additional census data were published, these concerns extended to the relationship between gender identity and proficiency in English.
We consider that there is sufficient evidence that the gender identity question in the census has underperformed, with some groups of people being more likely than others to misunderstand the question.
Our report sets out the details of our regulatory decision and shares our recommendations to ONS on the steps they must take to help users of the census gender identity statistics understand their strengths and limitations. In addition, we have also set out the development work we consider is required on the Government Statistical Service gender identity harmonised question. In particular, we identified a need to publish advice for statistics producers who are currently using the standard and for those who are thinking about adopting it.
While there are lessons to be learned, particularly around ONS’s responsiveness to feedback, we found that overall ONS has worked with good intentions in its aim to address an important data gap on gender identity.
Ed Humpherson, Director General, Office for Statistics Regulation said:
“We welcome ONS’s request to us to remove the accreditation of these statistics. Our report sets out the reasons that the statistics do not comply in full with the Code of Practice for Statistics, together with the lessons that emerge for ONS, and OSR.”
Notes for 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
Related Links:
Emma Rourke to Ed Humpherson: Gender Identity statistics