UNITED KINGDOM
STATISTICS AUTHORITY News Release issued by The Government News
Network on 8 July 2008
The UK Statistics
Authority today launches its consultation on a new Code of
Practice for Official Statistics alongside a draft Statement of
Principles and Procedures for Assessment. The consultation phase
will last for 12 weeks, ending on 30 September.
Speaking today, the Chair of the UK Statistics Authority, Sir
Michael Scholar, said:
"I am delighted to publish today the first report of the new
UK Statistics Authority - a consultation document inviting views
on the draft Code of Practice for Official statistics, alongside a
supporting statement of the principles and procedures that will
guide our Assessment process.
"Official statistics are a vital resource for government and
society. They influence many decisions in government, in the
management of public services and in the private sector. These
decisions affect all our lives. Official statistics provide the
citizen with a window on the work and performance of government
and in this way play a central role in the processes of democracy.
"The Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 gave the
Authority the power to determine a Code of Practice and specific
powers to assess the compliance of official statistics against
that Code. The Code and the assessment of compliance will be among
the most crucial tools in enabling the Authority to pursue our
statutory objective of promoting and safeguarding the production
and publication of official statistics that serve the public good
- and thus rebuilding trust in statistics. The Code will also
define common principles that we expect to be observed by all
those different bodies that produce official statistics.
"I believe the draft Code and the supporting statement of
Assessment principles and procedures are well thought-out and
coherent. However, we are keen to hear a wide range of views and
specific suggestions for changes or additions to our proposals.
Please let us know what you think."
The consultation document, Official statistics serving the public
good, containing the draft Code of Practice for Official
Statistics and Statement of Principles and procedures for
Assessment, is available on the UK Statistics Authority website
at: http://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/reports---correspondence/consultations/index.html
Notes to Editors
1. The Statistics and Registration Service Act gained Royal
Assent in 2007 out of which The UK Statitistics Authority came
into existence on 1 April 2008. Since its official launch the UK
Statistics Authority, and not Government Ministers, are in charge
of the nation's main economic and social statistics produced
by ONS. The Authority is fully independent and reports directly to
Parliament, not through Government Ministers or departments so as
to be sure that these figures are not subject to political
interference or manipulation. In addition, the Authority have
oversight of all UK official statistics, with statutory powers and
the obligation to promote, improve and safeguard official
statistics across the UK. http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2007/ukpga_20070018_en_1
2. The level of trust in official statistics is currently very
low in Britain, recognised by Government through the introduction
of the legislation, with all-party support in both Houses of
Parliament, and support from the devolved Administrations, to
establish the new Authority. A recent survey released by the
Office for National Statistics (ONS) on 17 March 2008 found that
only one in five people think figures are compiled without
political interference. The UK came 27th out of 27 in a recent
survey within European countries of trust in their
Governments' statistics.
3. Sir Michael Scholar KCB was appointed Chair of the new
Authority in September 2007 in open competition, and with
Parliamentary approval under the new procedure. He is President of
St John's College, Oxford. He has been a governor of the
National Institute for Economic and Social Research since 2001.
Previously he was Permanent Secretary to the Department of Trade
and Industry (1996 to 2001), Permanent Secretary to the Welsh
Office (1993 to 1996) and Private Secretary to the then Prime
Minister Margaret Thatcher (1981 to 1983).
4. The non-executive members of the authority were appointed in
open competition and are:
Lord Rowe-Beddoe of Kilgetty (David Rowe-Beddoe), who will occupy
the Deputy Chair post with responsibility for the governance of
the Office for National Statistics.
Professor Adrian Smith FRS, who will occupy the Deputy Chair post
with responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the production
and publication of all official statistics across the UK.
Professor David Rhind CBE, FRS, FBA who was Chairman of the
Statistics Commission and was Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the
City University in London until July 2007.
He is a non-executive director of the Bank of England's
Court of Directors, and until 1998 was Director-General of the
Ordnance Survey.
Partha Dasgupta who is currently Chief Executive of the Pension
Protection Fund and a former Managing Director at Barclays Global Investors.
Sir Alan Langlands FRSE who is Principal and Vice-Chancellor of
the University of Dundee. He was Chief Executive of the National
Health Service in England 1994-2000.
Moira Gibb CBE who is Chief Executive Officer of Camden Borough Council.
Professor Steve Nickell CBE, FBA who is Warden of Nuffield
College, Oxford. He was a member of the Bank of England's
Monetary Policy Committee from June 2000 to May 2006.
5. The Authority also includes three executive members. These
are: the National Statistician, Karen Dunnell; the Head of
Assessment, Richard Alldritt; and the ONS Finance Director, Steve
Newman.
6. The postal address for the UK Statistics Authority is,
Statistics House, Tredegar Park, Newport, NP10 8XG.