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UK Statistics Agency Cuts Publications Amid Quality Crisis
19 Feb
Summary
- UK statistics agency will reduce publications by 10% by 2026.
- Quality issues with core data releases led to the decision.
- The Bank of England considers data quality vital for interest rate decisions.
The UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) will reduce its publications by approximately 10% by 2026. This measure is being implemented to address ongoing quality issues affecting core data releases.
Permanent Secretary Darren Tierney stated that these difficult decisions are crucial for restoring the quality of essential statistics. The agency will cease work on certain health surveys, the night-time economy, and pause greenhouse emissions data.
These changes come after the ONS identified problems with low response rates in its Labour Force Survey in 2023. This survey is vital for tracking unemployment and job market indicators and is currently undergoing an overhaul.
The deterioration in data quality has been a significant concern, particularly for the Bank of England, which relies on ONS labour statistics for its interest rate deliberations. Governor Andrew Bailey has described the situation as a "substantial" problem.
