21 March 2008
Public trust in official statistics remains low and there has been no significant change since 2005, despite the government's efforts to improve confidence, research has revealed.
A survey by the Office for National Statistics found that just 33% of people believe 'official figures are generally accurate', while even fewer, 16%, agree with the statement: 'The government uses figures honestly when talking about its policies.'
The most common reason cited for distrusting official data was a suspicion that they were manipulated for political purposes or misrepresented by politicians or the media.
The study, published on March 17, makes it plain that concerted efforts to make statistics more accessible and to restore public trust in them, for example by legislating to make the ONS independent of government, have so far failed to bear fruit.
Respondents were asked to assess the trustworthiness of six data sets: UK population; rates of internet usage; hospital waiting lists; road casualties; the cost of living; and domestic burglaries. Road casualty figures were most trusted while waiting lists were regarded with the greatest suspicion. But ratings for all six were down on 2005 levels.
There was, however, a small increase in the proportion of people who believed statistics were compiled without political interference, up to 20% from 17% in 2005.
The ONS survey was published just days after a valedictory report from outgoing data watchdog the Statistics Commission, which criticises several Whitehall ministries for pushing their own interpretation of statistical releases.
The commission, which will be succeeded by the UK Statistics Authority on April 1 under the terms of the independence legislation, pointed the finger at departments for failing to separate clearly the publication of data from ministerial comments on them.
Three were criticised for 'going to some lengths to ensure that the press receive the departmental line on the figures… with attributable quotes from ministers'.
Those singled out were the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Home Office.
The UK Statistics Authority, which will hold the ONS to account and itself report to Parliament, is expected to pursue the issues raised by the outgoing commission.
A Treasury spokesman told Public Finance: 'The government's aim is to deliver statistics in which people trust: for statistics to be – and be seen to be – produced to the highest professional standards and free from political interference. The primary goal of the reforms is to reinforce the independence, integrity and quality of statistics produced in government, helping to improve evidence-based policy making, contributing to better public services and long-term stability in the UK economy.'
PFmar2008
