In my previous letter, I explained the challenge of lower response rates of the main sample of the Labour Force Survey (LFS), and the additional sample used to build the Annual Population Survey (APS). I committed to respond with our assessment of APS quality, including the feedback provided by key users at a workshop that […]
Statistical Strategic Priorities in Scotland Dear Ed, Officials in my office have been in discussion with your colleagues regarding the strategic priorities that we are currently pursuing across the statistical system here in Scotland. Further to these discussions, I am writing to you to inform you of the benefits we aim to achieve, and the […]
Dear Alastair, Statistical Strategic Priorities in Scotland Thank you for your letter setting out your approach to setting statistical priorities for the Scottish Government. We support your approach and there are several features that we regard as best practice, including the identification and communication of priorities for each analytical area; the involvement of users; and […]
Dear Tim, OSR response to the Gambling Commission: ‘Gambling with Lives’ casework Thank you for your letter of 14 May regarding the use of the term ‘addiction’ by Gambling with Lives when referring to official statistics from the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). We appreciate your patience while we investigated this matter. We are pleased […]
As Deputy National Statistician and Director General for the Economic, Social and Environmental Statistics Group, I am responding to your letter regarding the Annual Population Survey. We are grateful for the feedback provided in your recent LFS-derived labour market statistics: OSR progress report. It is encouraging to hear that we have successfully communicated plans about the […]
Thank you for your letter updating us on your work to stabilise the ongoing collection of the LFS and APS. We welcome your plans for engaging with users to make a more in-depth assessment of the quality of the APS. Given the important use of these APS statistics, ONS must ensure that its analysis of […]
Dear Mark Thank you for your letter of 22 May 2024 detailing the findings from the compliance review of the statistics in development from the Winter Coronavirus (Winter CIS) Infection Study, England and Scotland. We welcome the findings of your review, in particular the recognition of the innovation and agility of the analysis, the transparency […]
Dear Sandra Statistics on social housing lettings in England We have recently completed a compliance check of your statistics on social housing lettings in England against the Code of Practice for Statistics. We found that these statistics are a good demonstration of how to produce and publish official statistics, and the statistics should keep its […]
Dear Maya and Anna, Modern slavery data Thank you for your letter dated 14 June and sharing the new report published by After Exploitation titled ‘A can of worms: Challenges and opportunities in gathering modern slavery evidence’. Your letter and report highlighted concerns raised by practitioners regarding the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) Statistics and the […]
Dear Steve Personal Independence Payment statistics: Confirmation of accredited official statistics status We have independently reviewed the actions taken to address the one requirement outlined in our assessment report. On behalf of the Board of the UK Statistics Authority, I am pleased to confirm that they comply with the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in […]