The Code of Practice for Statistics

Standards for the Public Use of Statistics, Data and Wider Analysis

What is the aim of these Standards?

Statistics and data are the lifeblood of democratic debate and so it is vital that they are used in a way that serves the public good. These Standards support that goal by ensuring that public bodies use statistics, data and wider analysis transparently, and with integrity, clarity and accuracy. This approach is fundamental in allowing individuals and organisations to reach informed decisions, answer important societal questions, and provides a mechanism for holding governments to account. As a result, public confidence in the numbers used by public bodies, and the decisions based on them, is built and strengthened.

These Standards apply to the public use of statistics, data and wider analysis beyond the publication of official statistics. This includes, for example, press releases, blogs, social media posts, policy documents, speeches and interviews. Standards for how official statistics should be published can be found in the Standards for Official Statistics.

These Standards are based on the concept of intelligent transparency which is grounded in the core principles of the Code of Practice – Trustworthiness, Quality and Value.

Who are these Standards for?

Everyone has an important role to play in adhering to these Standards, not just analysts and statisticians. The Standards are relevant to a wide range of professions and roles across public bodies including communication professionals, policy professionals, analysts, Permanent Secretaries, Ministers and Special Advisers.

What is the scope of these Standards?

These Standards set out OSR’s expectations for how statistics, data and wider analysis should be used in the public domain by public bodies. Data and wider analysis include management information, research and economic modelling. Whilst OSR does not regulate the content of these outputs, we may investigate how they are used in public. We may also draw on evidence relating to these Standards to illustrate how an official statistics producer body supports adherence to Code standards.

What do we mean by intelligent transparency and why is it important?

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 should be the default approach so that public bodies build trust and confidence in how statistics, data and wider analysis are used and, crucially, in the policies and wider decisions based on them. Intelligent transparency also enhances the reputation of public bodies, ensures that public conversations focus on the important issues, and minimises the risk of misinterpretation or misuse of statistics.

Good practice guidance is provided in Guidance on the Standards for the Public Use of Statistics, Data and Wider Analysis.

The Standards

There are three standards, as listed below. Each standard also has a list of practices, which set out the activities and behaviours required to meet the standard.

To ensure public bodies use statistics, data and wider analysis transparently, and with integrity, clarity and accuracy:

1. Equality of access: Public bodies should make statistics, data and wider analysis used in the public domain available to everyone in a timely way

2. Supporting understanding: Public bodies should use statistics, data and wider analysis with integrity and communicate them with clarity and accuracy

3. Decision making and leadership: Public bodies should seek and use impartial, expert advice when using statistics, data and wider analysis in the public domain

Related information

Understanding TQV: an introduction to the core principles of Trustworthiness, Quality and Value (TQV)

Code Principles: these principles explain how anyone working with data can put TQV into practice, in a wide range of settings

Standards for Official Statistics: these Standards set out specific statistical practices for those producing official statistics

Code Guidance: information that supports use of the Code, including understanding and delivery of the principles and Standards.