The Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) has today published a short review of excess death reporting given the high public interest in these important measures.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) produces weekly excess death statistics and monthly age-standardised mortality rates. These are not the only excess mortality measures available to users with data that use different methods published by others, including the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and the Continuous Mortality Investigation.
The OSR recognises the commitment of the ONS team that produces these data and we welcome ONS’s plans to review its methods, drawing together expertise from the other producers of data, government departments, and partner organisations.
It can be a challenge for data users to understand the range of measures available and the differences between them. As part of our review we have asked ONS to better support users of these data.