New Code of Practice for Statistics incorporates RSS suggestions

We have welcomed proposed revisions made to the Code of Practice for Statistics by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR), which were informed by discussions at RSS-OSR joint roundtables in November 2023 and November 2024.   

We particularly welcome: 

• The emphasis on public statistics: reflecting our suggestions, the updated Code underscores the concept of 'public statistics’, promoting a framework that serves the broader public interest beyond governmental needs 

• A user-centric approach: the prioritisation of user engagement, mandating that statistical producers actively seek and incorporate feedback to ensure statistics meet diverse user requirements 

• Transparency in statistics production: promoting greater transparency in how evidence informs policy decisions, the inclusion of Intelligent Transparency encourages clear communication of the strengths and limitations of statistical data between various users and producers.  

These updates enhance the relevance, quality and trustworthiness of official statistics, ensuring they effectively serve the public good. 

In other work to promote public statistics, we co-signed a letter to Ed Humpherson at the OSR raising concerns around the lack of statistics regarding the number of people appearing in magistrates’ courts without representation.  

There is a clear user need for better evidence around how people are represented in magistrates’ courts, and we would like to see Ministry of Justice publish statistics to meet this need.   

Read the full response to the OSR.