Similarities and differences

Similarities between OS and MI

Release

For both OS and MI, data and statistics are released to meet the public interest for information, though MI may be more to show the activities of the organisation.

Both can be released either as a regular release or on an ad hoc basis.

Repeated requests for MI may reveal the public interest in the inclusion of the information in a new or existing OS output.

Accessibility

Both OS and MI provide statistics in an accessible form available to all. They use tables and charts for data presentation. Sometimes these tables and charts are displayed in dashboards.

Transparency

The OSR guidance on intelligent transparency is helpful for considering the transparent release of OS and MI. All civil servants are ultimately responsible to Ministers, including chief statistician and heads of profession. The Code sets out the ways a producer body can ensure public confidence in the independence of their statistics.

Following the Code is good practice for both MI and OS and reduces the risks of issues arising.

Differences between OS and MI

The Code of Practice for Statistics

Those producing OS must follow the Code. Those producing MI do not have to follow the Code but are encouraged to do so voluntarily, as this helps maintain standards of good professional practice.

Purpose

OS provide statistics to inform users about important aspects of society and government. MI provide transparent statistics on:

• individual government systems
• administrative data
• data about how a government body is performing or the work they are producing

Pre-announcements

OS must be pre-announced. You should give as much notice as possible before publication, although OS can be published at very short notice, depending on the public interest for release.

You do not need to pre-announce MI, but it is good practice to do so wherever possible. It is also good practice to alert users and stakeholders to the release of ad hoc outputs once they have been released.

Pre-release Access Order requirements

OS would meet the Pre-release Access (PRA) Order requirements where the statistics are shared in their final form for briefing purposes. This is because unpublished data and statistics can be shared on a restricted basis for operational purposes on a strictly need-to-know basis.

The PRA Orders for each administration relate to official statistics only. MI are shared on a restricted basis as the current figures for the system or service.

Supporting material

OS usually provide some explanation of the figures to:

• support understanding and appropriate reuse
• highlight important points to be aware of

MI generally has limited supporting material but should highlight any coherence issues with related OS. It is also good practice to provide information explaining the nature of the statistics.