The UK Statistics Authority has recently published a revised Concordat on Statistics which sets out a jointly agreed framework for statistical collaboration between the UK Government, and the Northern Ireland, Scottish, and Welsh Governments.

The National Statistician Professor Sir Ian Diamond gave the following statement:

“I am delighted to co-sign and publish the updated Concordat on Statistics between the UK Statistics Authority, wider UK Government, and the devolved administrations. The Concordat sets out a jointly agreed framework for statistical collaboration between the UK Government, and the Northern Ireland, Scottish, and Welsh Governments.

The Concordat describes how we should work together across the UK to produce high quality statistics for the public good across the UK; publishing coherent and comparable statistics at UK and disaggregated levels, where appropriate, while recognising the different policy contexts within each administration so that official statistics meet local as well as UK user needs.

To achieve this goal, the Concordat identifies areas of joint working: developing professional standards, co-operative data production and sharing, coherent statistical publications, and meeting international obligations. The Concordat also reiterates the commitment of statisticians across the UK to adhering to relevant and internationally recognised professional standards and promoting the integrity and independence of official statistics.”