Latest news with #UKStatisticsAuthority
Sky News
2 days ago
- Business
- Sky News
ONS secures extra cash to restore confidence in UK's economic statistics
Why you can trust Sky News A further £10m is to be spent on fixing shortfalls in the core numbers produced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) amid a continuing lack of confidence in their accuracy. The body is tasked with producing official figures covering key areas of the economy and societal trends. It has faced particular criticism over the quality of its Labour Force Survey (LFS) - used to calculate employment figures. The Bank of England, which needs accurate readings for its rate-setting committee to make informed judgements, is among institutions to have expressed frustration with the numbers since the COVID pandemic. The problems at the ONS are not all financial. The Newport-based body's challenges include in areas such as the LFS. It hopes to have made improvements by spring next year. That will be of little comfort to the Bank which needs to know how much inflationary pressure is lingering in the jobs market, through things like wage growth, as it sets interest rates. The ONS confirmed that plans were being enacted to "urgently" improve the quality of its work in two areas - that covering the economy and population and the other its household and business data. The extra cash, to be spent over two years, is to fund the recruitment of up to 150 more economic data specialists, it said in a statement. The ONS also said that the UK Statistics Authority and Cabinet Office had agreed with a recommendation to temporarily separate the role of national statistician from that of ONS permanent secretary. This was in order to provide a greater focus on improving the quality of its core statistics. The ONS did not rule out revisions to past data in the months ahead. Acting director general for economic statistics, Grant Fitzner, said: "The ONS's Plan for Economic Statistics aims to restore confidence and improve the quality of our core statistics. "It is open about where things stand today and where we need to do better - and forms a crucial part of our response to the recent Office for Statistics Regulation review into economic statistics. "The Survey Improvement and Enhancement Plan does the same for our household and business surveys."
Reuters
2 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
UK to split leadership at statistics office to address data issues
LONDON, June 26 (Reuters) - Britain said it would separate the leadership roles at the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which has been criticised for economic data failures, following a review into its performance and culture. The UK Statistics Authority and Cabinet Office said in response to the review that they "strongly agree" with its recommendation to temporarily separate the role of national statistician from that of ONS permanent secretary, the leader of the office.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Census of England and Wales to be held in 2031
Planning has begun for the next census of England and Wales, with the survey expected to take place in 2031. A census of the population has been held regularly since 1801, typically every 10 years, with the most recent one carried out in 2021. The survey provides the most accurate estimate of the number of people and households across the country. Households in Cumbria will be asked question on topics such as age, sex, nationality and ethnicity. READ MORE: Cockermouth: Mitchells to auction L. S. Lowry pencil drawing | News and Star Census results are used by a range of organisations including governments, councils and businesses, and underpin everything from the calculation of economic growth and unemployment to helping plan schools, health services and transport links. Some 97 per cent of households completed the most recent census of England and Wales, which took place in March 2021 while the Covid-19 pandemic was still under way. The UK Statistics Authority said on Tuesday it had recommended the Government ask the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to carry out the 2031 census of England and Wales, as was the case in 2001, 2011 and 2021.
The Independent
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Planning under way for 2031 census of England and Wales
Planning has begun for the next census of England and Wales, with the survey expected to take place in 2031. A census of the population has been held regularly since 1801, typically every 10 years, with the most recent one carried out in 2021. The survey provides the most accurate estimate of the number of people and households across the country and includes questions on topics such as age, sex, nationality and ethnicity. Census results are used by a range of organisations including governments, councils and businesses, and underpin everything from the calculation of economic growth and unemployment to helping plan schools, health services and transport links. Some 97% of households completed the most recent census of England and Wales, which took place in March 2021 while the Covid-19 pandemic was still under way. It was the first survey of its kind to prioritise the digital collection of data, with nearly nine out of 10 households completing the form online. The UK Statistics Authority said on Tuesday it had recommended the Government ask the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to carry out the 2031 census of England and Wales, as was the case in 2001, 2011 and 2021. Acting National Statistician Emma Rourke said: 'The ONS ran a highly successful census in 2021, at a pivotal time for the country. 'The high response rate and richness of the census data ensured it provided a high-quality snapshot of the whole population and its characteristics, which continues to provide benefits to statistical users. 'It has been clear from consultation and engagement that the decennial census, asked of the whole population, remains of enormous value for informing the most important decisions facing our country.' The decision to call a mandatory census of the population can be taken only by the Government. The ONS is nonetheless starting its preparation for the 2031 census and will launch a public consultation later this autumn to collect feedback on what should be included in the survey. Censuses in Scotland and Northern Ireland are carried out by National Records of Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency respectively. They are typically held on the same day as the census in England and Wales, although in 2021 Scotland postponed its census by 12 months until March 2022 because of the impact of the pandemic. National Records of Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency joined the ONS on Tuesday in collectively recommending the next census be held across the UK in 2031. Scottish Government ministers have already accepted in principle the plan for a 2031 census in Scotland. A census has taken place in England and Wales every 10 years since 1801, apart from in 1941 due to the Second World War. One of the key findings of the 2021 survey was that the proportion of the population of England and Wales identifying as Christian had dropped below 50% for the first time. It also found that: 82% of the population identified as white, down from 86% in 2011; around 1.5 million people – 3% – identified as LGB+; and nearly one in four household residents in England are likely to have a long-term health condition. The total population of England and Wales stood at 59.6 million on census day, up 6% from 56.1 million in 2011. The 2021 census was the first time a voluntary question on gender identity was included and showed that 262,000 people in England and Wales – 0.5% of the population aged 16 and over – reported that their gender identity was different from their sex registered at birth. But amid concern some respondents may not have understood the question properly due to language barriers, the ONS later downgraded the status of data to 'statistics in development' and even advised against using some figures to estimate the size of the trans population in local areas. In March 2025, the statistics body said it was engaging in work across the UK 'to build a robust and detailed understanding of user and respondent needs on the topics of sex and gender identity', with findings to be published later this year. Jane Frost, chief executive of the Market Research Society, said: 'Researchers will breathe a collective sigh of relief at the news that ONS will – on the Government's agreement – hold a census in 2031. 'Our £9 billion market and social research sector in the UK has long relied on the survey's rich, consistent and reliable data to provide businesses and policy makers with all-important insight on the British people, informing critical decisions across public and private sectors. 'As progress is made to improve the collection of this data and invest in alternative administrative sources, we're keen to work with the Government and ONS to put systems in place which will ensure the level of quality insights which the UK has enjoyed since the census' conception. 'We are also calling for the ONS to work with us to develop refreshed methodology around the social grade for census data, reflecting the changing nuances of our society and social class.'
Rhyl Journal
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Planning under way for 2031 census of England and Wales
A census of the population has been held regularly since 1801, typically every 10 years, with the most recent one carried out in 2021. The survey provides the most accurate estimate of the number of people and households across the country and includes questions on a range of topics such as age, sex, nationality and ethnicity. Census results are used by a range of organisations including governments, councils and businesses, and underpin everything from the calculation of economic growth and unemployment to helping plan schools, health services and transport links. Some 97% of households completed the most recent census of England and Wales, which took place in March 2021 while the Covid-19 pandemic was still under way. It was the first survey of its kind to prioritise the digital collection of data, with nearly nine out of 10 households completing the form online. The UK Statistics Authority said on Tuesday it had recommended the Government ask the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to carry out the 2031 census of England and Wales, as was the case in 2001, 2011 and 2021. Acting National Statistician Emma Rourke said: 'The ONS ran a highly successful census in 2021, at a pivotal time for the country. 'The high response rate and richness of the census data ensured it provided a high-quality snapshot of the whole population and its characteristics, which continues to provide benefits to statistical users. 'It has been clear from consultation and engagement that the decennial census, asked of the whole population, remains of enormous value for informing the most important decisions facing our country.' The decision to call a mandatory census of the population can be taken only by the Government. The ONS is nonetheless starting its preparation for the 2031 census and will launch a public consultation later this autumn to collect feedback on what should be included in the survey. Censuses in Scotland and Northern Ireland are carried out by National Records of Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency respectively. They are typically held on the same day as the census in England and Wales, although in 2021 Scotland postponed its census by 12 months until March 2022 because of the impact of the pandemic. A census has taken place in England and Wales every 10 years since 1801, apart from in 1941 due to the Second World War. One of the key findings of the 2021 survey was that the proportion of the population of England and Wales identifying as Christian had dropped below 50% for the first time. It also found that: 82% of the population identified as white, down from 86% in 2011; around 1.5 million people – 3% – identified as LGB+; and nearly one in four household residents in England are likely to have a long-term health condition. The total population of England and Wales stood at 59.6 million on census day, up 6% from 56.1 million in 2011. The 2021 census was the first time a voluntary question on gender identity was included and showed that 262,000 people in England and Wales – 0.5% of the population aged 16 and over – reported that their gender identity was different from their sex registered at birth. But amid concern some respondents may not have understood the question properly due to language barriers, the ONS later downgraded the status of data to 'statistics in development' and even advised against using some figures to estimate the size of the trans population in local areas. In March 2025, the statistics body said it was engaging in work across the UK 'to build a robust and detailed understanding of user and respondent needs on the topics of sex and gender identity', with findings to be published later this year.
