Part 1
(a) How well does the Code support official statistics to serve the public?
The call to evidence is now closed. This document is intended for reference purposes only.
Before going into more detailed ways that you think the Code can be strengthened, we are interested in hearing your thoughts about the case for changing the Code of Practice.
The second edition of the Code was intended to support statistics commanding public confidence by being built around commitments to Trustworthiness, Quality and Value (TQV): compliance with the Code gives confidence to all that statistics are of public value, are of high quality and are produced by departments and public bodies that can be trusted. It was intended to be adaptable and reflect the changing landscape, and to be grounded on pillars that are universal, not relevant only to official statistics.
Question 1
It is important that statistics serve the public and in doing so answer society’s important questions.
In what ways do you see the Code achieving or not achieving these ambitions?
If it’s helpful, please consider:
- The extent to which the Code is achieving its aim to ensure official statistics serve the public
- The greatest threats and opportunities you see in the evolving landscape which may impact data and statistics and the Code
- The extent the current framework of Trustworthiness, Quality and Value (TQV) supports organisations to produce statistics that serve the public
- Whether trustworthiness, quality and value, as fundamental principles that can relate to all data, statistics and analysis, are being effectively applied by organisations inside and outside government
Question 2 is aimed at producers of official statistics – please move on to question 3 if this is not relevant to you.
Question 2
The Code sets the standards for official statistics, which are relevant for the whole organisation, not just for analysts. These standards should be applied to ensure that a producer’s outputs command public confidence.
How well or poorly do you think the Code supports both analysts and others in your organisation to deliver and use statistics that serve the public good?
If it’s helpful, please consider:
- The extent the Code supports you in producing statistics that serve the public good, or if there any ways in which the Code is a barrier
- The extent your organisation applies the standards of the Code beyond official statistics, for example in relation to management information outputs
- Whether the standards of the Code are understood and adhered to by non-analysts in your organisation involved in producing and using statistics or if the Code could be improved to better support this
(b) How can the Code be strengthened?
Within the three pillars, the Code has 14 principles that between them have 87 detailed practices, providing increasing levels of specificity in guiding practice. There are also three cross-cutting themes of transparency, collaboration and coherence, that reflect the areas of practice that are common to all three pillars.
You may have observations for how principles do not capture all aspects of an important area of statistical practice or that some language within the Code can be updated to reflect current understanding.
Question 3
The Code provides producers of official statistics with the detailed pillars and practices they must commit to when producing and releasing official statistics.
How do you think the Code could be strengthened and improved?
If it’s helpful, please consider:
- Any gaps in the Code which, if filled, would strengthen the standards we expect of statistics produced by government
- Any areas of the Code which require updating for the Code to remain relevant
- Any parts of the Code which are no longer relevant in the production of data and statistics