Statistics watchdog ‘should check Whitehall’s use of data’

26 Feb 13
MPs have called for the UK Statistics Authority to be given more control of Whitehall’s use of official government data to ensure the integrity of the information used.

By Richard Johnstone | 25 February 2013

MPs have called for the UK Statistics Authority to be given more control of Whitehall’s use of official government data to ensure the integrity of the information used.

The Public Administration Select Committee said there was a ‘genuine risk’ that public confidence in official statistics could be undermined by flaws in the way the data is produced and used across Whitehall.

The Statistics Authority was established by the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 to safeguard the quality of official statistics and oversee the Office for National Statistics.

In a report published yesterday, Public trust in government: statistics, the MPs praised the authority’s actions in censuring and correcting misrepresentations of statistics, most recently current chair Andrew Dilnot’s interventions over NHS spending.

But they said there was still a need for greater clarity and transparency to tackle some problems.

For example, the authority cannot prevent departments from finding ways of getting around the standards in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.

These can include circumventing obligations in the code by giving the information different names, such as ‘management’ or ‘research’ data. As a consequence, the core purpose of the legislation – to ensure minimum standards of quality and integrity – might be undermined.

‘This situation has potentially serious consequences for public confidence in the statistical system and public administration more widely,’ the report stated. Although the threat of public censure might act as a deterrent to mis-designation of statistical data, ministers should work with the authority to ensure the spirit of the code is correctly interpreted and implemented.

MPs also said the practice of pre-release access – where ministers are allowed access to announcements such as estimates of growth domestic product and unemployment a day before publication – also presents a risk to public confidence. The authority should be given independent responsibility to decide on pre-release access.

PASC chair Bernard Jenkin said: ‘Good statistics underpin good policy and proper scrutiny of it. Public confidence in the information produced by government is vitally important to an effective democracy. Without it, there can be no confidence in the transparency and accountability of government, which in turn can only fuel public apathy and disengagement from the democratic process.

‘We believe the Statistics Authority should take greater control over the quality and integrity of the statistics produced by departments and their agencies. It must be – and be seen to be – an effective, independent watchdog able to ensure statistics are produced efficiently and to a set standard. In short, its existence should create trust in government statistics.’

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