What do we mean by intelligent transparency?
At its heart intelligent transparency is about proactively taking an open, clear and accessible approach to the release and use of data, statistics and wider analysis. There are three core principles which combine to support intelligent transparency: equality of access, enhancing understanding and analytical leadership. Intelligent transparency is at the core of many of the practices outlined in the Code of Practice for Statistics.
Why is it important?
Statistics and data should serve the public good. They should allow individuals to reach informed decisions, answer important questions and provide a mechanism for holding governments to account. Statistics and data also underpin successful implementation of government policies, and individuals’ views on the effectiveness of policy decisions.
Transparency and clarity support public confidence in statistics and the organisations that produce them and minimise the risk of misinterpretation of statistics and data.
For many who see the publication of numerical information by governments, the distinction between official statistics and other data, such as management information or research, may seem artificial. Therefore, it is important to consistently adopt a transparent and accessible approach to communicating data, statistics and wider analysis.
When governments take an open approach to statistics, data and wider analysis about themselves and the policies they implement, such as demonstrating transparency with data that is in the public interest, they can support public confidence in both the data, and the policy decisions based on them.
What is the back story to OSR and its intelligent transparency work?
OSR launched its intelligent transparency campaign back in 2021 to address the increased use of statistics, data and wider analysis in the public domain during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following this, OSR published regulatory guidance to support the implementation of intelligent transparency by statistics producers in February 2022. Since this time, OSR has continued to develop its thinking on intelligent transparency and has undertaken a range of activities to embed it across governments.
Does intelligent transparency just apply to official statistics?
For many who see the publication of numerical information by governments, the distinction between official statistics and other data, such as management information or research, may seem artificial. Therefore, it is important to consistently adopt a transparent and accessible approach to communicating all data, statistics and wider analysis.
Who is intelligent transparency relevant for?
Intelligent transparency is relevant for all those using data, statistics and wider analysis in the public domain across governments and public bodies. This ranges from analysts, through to policy-making and operational staff and communications teams. Everyone has a role in ensuring that transparency and clarity underpin their important work and we would encourage a default approach of transparency.
What does unintelligent transparency look like?
Unintelligent transparency could come in a few different forms. For example, there could be a complete lack of published data to support a statement or claim. There could also be unclear sources for quoted figures – so numbers are used but can’t be scrutinised because we don’t know where they come from or how they have been compiled. Finally, unintelligent transparency could also involve unclear methods, definitions, or limitations and what these mean for how the data should be interpreted and used.
How can users of data and statistics help to encourage and support intelligent transparency?
We’re under no illusion: OSR can’t resolve this on our own. Whether an organisation or individual user of data or statistics produced by governments or public bodies, we need your help.
Be an advocate for intelligent transparency. Question the data you see. Does it make sense? Do you know where it comes from? Is it being used appropriately?
You can raise concerns with us via regulation@statistics.gov.uk – our FAQs about how to raise an issue set out what to expect if you raise a concern with us. We’d also love to hear from other organisations with an interest in transparency.
And you can keep up to date with our work via our monthly OSR newsletter.
How can analysts, statisticians, communications and policy colleagues in individual teams help support intelligent transparency?
Champion intelligent transparent in your team, your department and your individual work. You can ensure that intelligent transparency underpins your individual work. You can build up relationships with those in the data, policy and communications publication chain to ensure everyone understands what intelligent transparency is and how to go about implementing it. We have published regulatory guidance for the transparent release and use of statistics and data to help with this.
You can also raise any concerns you may have with your Head of Profession for Statistics. They will be able to support and advise you on any transparency-related issues, and on issues relating to the Code more generally.
We are also always here to support producers, so do reach out to us if you would like to discuss any issues at regulation@statistics.gov.uk
What do I do if my department’s/organisation’s unpublished statistics, data or wider analysis are used in public communications?
Ideally data to support any public statement should be published in advance or at the same time as the statement is made, with a clear explanation of strengths and limitations. We would encourage all producers of data, statistics and wider analysis to consider what processes and plans they can put in place in advance to minimise the risk that this doesn’t happen. We would urge analysts to think early in the policy process about the data and statistics needed to support policy development and when they will need to be published to support decision-making. Also to build relationships with policy communications and other analysts interested in the data. We would also urge others in government, including communications and policy colleagues and senior leaders to bring analysts in early when developing new policy.
However, we recognise that on occasion unpublished data are referred to unexpectedly. In these instances, the information should be published as soon as possible after any statement has been made – ideally on the same day as the analysis should already be available and a grid slot should not be required, or for more complex cases at most within 72 hours. This can be done via an ad-hoc release. For example, the Department for Work and Pensions has a page dedicated to ad hoc statistical analyses.
How much supporting information do I need to provide to ensure understanding of statistics and data I am communicating?
Intelligent transparency is not about promoting lengthy explanations. It is about being open in releasing your information and being frank in its narrative. If you decide that a longer explanation may be useful in enabling more complex analysis to be presented clearly, it is always worthwhile writing plainly, considering how the audience will understand it and be encouraged to read it. If there are key limitations which users need to be aware of to appropriately use and understand the data, then it is important to make these clear, succinct and visible. You may need to think carefully about exactly how your data are presented if there is a high risk of misinterpretation due to limitations.
What is OSR doing to support intelligent transparency?
We in OSR continue to champion transparency and equal access to data, statistics and wider analysis.
We engage with analysts, policy-makers and the communications function across government, and the civil service’s most senior leaders, to advocate intelligent transparency and embed the Standards for the Public Use of Statistics, Data and Wider Analysis. We deliver training and targeted support for teams, often hand in hand with Heads of Profession for Statistics. We also engage with the wider community outside of government to develop networks committed to and advocating for intelligent transparency.
We continue to build our evidence base, highlighting good examples and understanding more about barriers to transparency. In 2025, we undertook a review of intelligent transparency and we monitor work towards the review recommendations.
We continue to intervene on specific cases where the appropriate communication and use of data and statistics has been queried, guided by the UK Statistics Authority’s interventions policy.
We are also exploring ways in which we could more proactively and systematically monitor compliance with the Standards for the Public Use of Statistics, Data and Wider Analysis, for example through public report cards.
If you are interested in finding out more or sharing your views on our intelligent transparency work, you can contact us by email at regulation@statistics.gov.uk