List of recommendations

To ensure that intelligent transparency is the default approach to the public use of statistics, data and wider analysis, we make the following six recommendations aimed at ministerial departments of the UK Government and the devolved governments.

Recommendation 1:

To support equality of access to statistics, data and wider analysis, Number 10 should review and act on training needs on the Code of Practice for Statistics and intelligent transparency for special advisers and those responsible for the ‘grid’. It should also improve connections with the statistical community across government so that issues can be identified and resolved promptly. For example, it may be beneficial to introduce a Chief Statistician role within Number 10, or for relevant colleagues within Number 10 to make links with the Head of Profession for Statistics network by joining their regular mailing list and meetings.

Recommendation 2:

To support public understanding of figures and ensure adherence to the Code of Practice for Statistics, all statistics, data and wider analysis used in public communications by ministerial departments and devolved governments should cite a source and directly link to that source. To support this goal, the Government Communication Service should embed expectations about citing sources within its guidance for communication professionals and clearly communicate this across its networks.

Recommendation 3:

To prevent and promptly address misuse or misinterpretation, ministerial departments and devolved governments should proactively monitor their public use of statistics, data and wider analysis.

Recommendation 4:

To increase transparency and build public trust in the use of statistics, data and wider analysis, ministerial departments and devolved governments should publish public commitments to intelligent transparency. This could take the form of a statement of compliance which sets out what steps the organisation takes to adhere to the Standards for the Public Use of Statistics, Data and Wider Analysis and how it resolves issues if they are identified.

Recommendation 5:

To ensure that knowledge about intelligent transparency is consistent across professions, guidance and training on intelligent transparency should be embedded and promoted amongst the Government Economic Service, the Government Social Research profession, and the Government Policy profession.

Recommendation 6:

To improve consistency of practices and reduce duplication of effort, Heads of Profession for Statistics and Chief Statisticians should regularly share their work on intelligent transparency with each other. This could include sharing of guidance and training materials, processes for the publication of ad hoc releases, and other initiatives to increase the awareness of and adherence to the principles of intelligent transparency.