Review of the Code of Practice for Statistics 

The Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) is undertaking a review of the Code of Practice for Statistics, to ensure it continues to effectively serve the production and regulation of government statistics.

The Code of Practice for Official Statistics was established in 2009 as a framework of standards to produce statistics and data, to enable high public confidence in published government statistics. It was then revamped and renamed to be the Code of Practice for Statistics in 2018 to further ensure statistics are rich in public value, of high quality and are produced by organisations that care about being trustworthy.

This review of the Code of Practice for Statistics will ask you to consider changes in the data landscape, the increased desire for statistics from users including the public at large and reflect on ways that statistics producers are working. Through our call for evidence, you will be able to share with us your views on how the Code remains relevant given this changing context.

Ed Humpherson, DG for Regulation said: 

“The Code of Practice is a set of key principles, there to underpin OSR’s important remit of regulatory assessments, judgements, and public decisions on misuse of statistics. The production of statistics and data is always transitioning to utilise new systems, upskill practitioners and streamline ways of working, so we must consider how to futureproof ‘trustworthiness, quality and value’ to remain as agile and robust as possible.”

From September through to December 2023, OSR will be gathering feedback from stakeholders on the Code of Practice. Alongside this, we will be running a range of online sessions for all interested parties to explore some of the key topics which might be relevant when thinking about the Code. OSR would like to invite you all to join these conversations through our Futureproofing the Code event series.