Background
NISRA is in the process of improving labour market statistics in Northern Ireland through survey transformation and increasing the use of administrative data and other data sources. NISRA intends to move to an online-first transformed Labour Force Survey labelled the Northern Ireland Labour Market Survey (NI LMS) in Autumn 2024.
NISRA transformation is happening alongside ONS’s transformation of its Labour Force Survey. ONS has been transforming its Labour Force Survey (TLFS) for GB with the aim of switching to the TLFS as its main source of Labour Market data in September 2024. ONS and NISRA are working together to enable UK wide key labour market statistics to be available from late 2024, derived from a combination of the TLFS and NI LMS.
Our aim and approach
In parallel with NISRA’s endeavours, we have agreed to review the transformation process of the NI LMS. The aim of our work is to ensure that the new survey continues to meet the highest standards of trustworthiness, quality, and value, in line with the Code of Practice for Statistics. We will advise, challenge and support NISRA and be fluid in our engagement and reporting, to ensure that any recommendations that we make are well timed and valuable. We are encouraged by NISRA’s positivity and appetite to move the LFS in Northern Ireland online and improve labour market statistics to meet changing user needs. We look forward to working with the team over the coming months.
We are keen to speak with people and organisations who use NI Labour Market data to understand more about the potential impact of the proposed changes. Please do get in touch if you are interested in sharing your views and would like to hear more about this work.
We would like to hear your views on Northern Ireland Labour market data, you can send them to regulation@statistics.gov.uk