Statistics too often unclear and misused, say MPs

29 May 13
Government statistics should be presented in a way that is accurate and meaningful, rather than ‘spun’ into a good news story for the government, MPs have said.

By Vivienne Russell | 29 May 2013

Government statistics should be presented in a way that is accurate and meaningful, rather than ‘spun’ into a good news story for the government, MPs have said.

The public administration select committee today criticised government press releases for sometimes distorting the story told by statistics, concentrating too much on newsworthy headlines and not enough on underlying trends.

It was also critical of the Office for National Statistics’ website, which made figures hard to find. The ONS often presented figures in formats that were confusing or not easily understandable.

PASC chair Bernard Jenkin said: ‘Finding the whole truth about government statistics is not always easy, and it should be.

‘The numbers may be perfectly true but the act of selecting certain numbers distorts the true picture. This is important when those numbers are being used to justify a particular policy or a particular apportioning of resources. In some cases, spinning reduces the story behind the statistics to such an extent that the picture is no longer true.’

The MPs called on the UK Statistics Authority to use its powers to ensure statistics are presented more clearly and communicated more creatively, such as through interactive guides.

The ONS website should also be improved and government statisticians encouraged to work more closely with different groups of users to present statistics in ways that meet their different needs.

Responding to the report, a spokesman for the UK Statistics Authority said: ‘The Statistics Authority welcomes the committee's report and the authority will be responding in due course.’

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