J. Glossary of terms
J. To ensure all users, including non-expert users, understand its developing thinking ONS should publish and keep up to date a glossary of terms for the population, migration and labour market transformation programme (which is easy to navigate to) and ensure consistency in how it refers to emerging parts of the programme in its communications.
Actions taken and commitments made by ONS to meet the recommendation
ONS includes a regular glossary section in the LTIM bulletin and most other publications to explain the key terms used in each one. ONS also published Understanding international migration statistics, an FAQs article and Improving international migration statistics using administrative data, a plain English article to support the understanding by non-expert users.
ONS also told us that it is taking a more joined up approach to publications about the population and migration statistics transformation using repeatable messaging, so that users can find it easier to understand the relationship between the transformation programmes.
OSR’s evaluation of evidence
ONS has published the plain English article and the FAQs. Both of these publications are clear, use non-technical language and support the understanding and use of the statistics for a range of users.
We recognise the value of these two publications and the glossary sections added to most publications. This will support users’ understanding of ONS’s work, increasing the public value of the statistics. It is important that ONS ensure consistency of language, not only as part of the migration transformation, but of the wider population and labour market transformations. Users often use a range of statistics produced by multiple divisions within ONS and it would improve users’ understanding if ONS is consistent with its use of terms.