Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Accepted
Paragraph: 46
Publish annual ONS information on requested datasets, rationale, and request status online.
Recommendation
Separately, the Office for National Statistics should publish information on the datasets it is seeking on an annual basis, setting out its rationale for seeking those data, and details on the status of the request - all of which should be made available on the ONS website.
Government Response Summary
The OSR accepts the recommendation in principle and will enhance its focus on data gaps in future editions of its annual 'State of the Statistical System' report. The report, last published in July 2024, is the OSR's key publication for insights on the statistical system and its challenges.
Paragraph Reference:
46
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
43. OSR accepts the Committee’s recommendation to prepare regular and public reports on data gaps in the UK in principle. 44. Identifying and helping statisticians focus on addressing data gaps is an important aspect of our regulatory work. Our domain (topic area) model of regulation allows us to have strong relationships with statistics producers and organisations who publicly advocate for improved statistics. Our annual report, State of the Statistical System, which was last published on 17 July 2024,21 is our key publication bringing together the insight provided by our regulatory work. It also shares our views on the performance of the statistical system and the challenges facing it. In line with the Committee’s recommendation, we will have an enhanced focus on data gaps in future editions of this report. 45. Our recently published report, “Data Sharing and Linkage for the Public Good: Follow-Up Report” highlights the importance of enabling greater data sharing and linkage, in a secure way, for research and statistics.22 This is also relevant to the government’s ability to respond to data gaps. 46. Additionally, OSR is refreshing the Code of Practice for Statistics to ensure that it remains relevant. We are strengthening the emphasis on involving users in decisions about what statistics are required – whether to start, stop or change official statistics. This includes being clear on where and why user needs can and cannot be met, such as addressing information gaps. 47. Noting recommendation 7, in our aforementioned “Data Sharing and Linkage for the Public Good” report, we call for consistent and sustainable funding streams for data sharing, access and linkage initiatives, and specifically for a centralised government funding structure to support data 21 https://osr.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/publication/state-of-the-statistical-system-2024/ 22 https://osr.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/publication/data-sharing-and-linkage-for-the- public-good- follow-up-report/pages/1/ collaboration projects across government.23 This structure should prioritise a system-level, access-based approach to investment, as well as continue and expand initiatives such as the Shared Outcomes Fund.