Overview
Why we did this review
This review comes at an important time. As misinformation and disinformation become more of a problem, it is essential that high-quality, official information is easily accessible and communicated well. This includes statistics, data and other types of analysis which can enable individuals and organisations to reach informed decisions and answer important questions, as well as providing mechanisms for holding governments to account for their commitments and decisions.
In October 2025, the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) published the third edition of the Code of Practice for Statistics (the Code). A key change is the introduction of the Standards for the Public Use of Statistics, Data and Wider Analysis. These standards are based on the concept of intelligent transparency, which at its heart is about proactively using statistics, data and other types of analysis in an open, clear and accessible way.
Intelligent transparency
Intelligent transparency means proactively taking an open, clear and accessible approach to the use of data, statistics and wider analysis in the public domain. Intelligent transparency is informed by three principles: equality of access, supporting understanding and decision making and leadership.
This report is OSR’s first step in providing systematic insights into how well embedded intelligent transparency – and therefore compliance with the new standards – is within governments across the UK.
Highlighted findings
There has been good progress in embedding intelligent transparency within ministerial departments and devolved governments of the UK. Understanding of the importance of intelligent transparency is high among statisticians and other analysts, and there has been some improvement in awareness among communications professionals. All the organisations in scope of this review have some form of guidance, training and/or processes in place to support adherence to intelligent transparency.
Intelligent transparency is still not the default approach to using statistics, data and other types of analysis in the public domain. For example, in an illustrative review of press releases published during the week beginning 14 July, we found that only 17% named the source of their figures, and just under 10% provided a direct link to the source – a key requirement of intelligent transparency.
Our review identified several key facilitators which support adherence to intelligent transparency: good collaboration across professions, clear processes for publishing ad hoc releases of analysis, bespoke training and guidance within departments and across professions, support from senior leaders and proactive monitoring of organisations’ own use of statistics and analysis in the public domain.
Our review also identified several barriers which can hamper organisations’ ability to adhere to intelligent transparency: lack of awareness of intelligent transparency among some in government, including communications professionals and special advisers; poor collaboration across professions; resource pressures for producing ad hoc releases and to support Heads of Profession for Statistics; and challenges in obtaining ‘grid slots’ from Number 10 for publishing ad hoc releases.
Summary of recommendations
To ensure that intelligent transparency is the default approach within governments across the UK, and to improve compliance with the new Standards for the Public Use of Statistics, Data and Wider Analysis, we make six recommendations in this report. These are aimed at ministerial departments and devolved governments and focus on:
- citing sources and directly link to them when using figures in public communications
- making public commitments to intelligent transparency
- understanding training needs for special advisers and those responsible for the ‘grid’ at Number 10 and improving connections between the statistical community across government and Number 10
- embedding and promoting guidance and training on intelligent transparency across professions
- preventing and promptly addressing misuse or misinterpretation of statistics
- sharing work on intelligent transparency among the statistical community
The full List of recommendations can be found later in this report.
Back to top