Today, the UK Statistics Authority and Cabinet Office jointly announce a short independent review of the performance and culture of the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The review will be led by Sir Robert Devereux, former Permanent Secretary at the Department for Work and Pensions. The review begins this week and is expected to conclude in early summer. It will assess the effectiveness of the ONS in delivering its core statistics and major programmes; evaluate its organisational culture, structure and leadership; and assess the effectiveness of its sponsorship relationships with the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury.
Sir Robert Chote, the Chair of the UK Statistics Authority said:
“This review is an opportunity to help ensure that the ONS can deliver of its best in what is a challenging external environment. I am very grateful to Sir Robert for agreeing to lead it and the Authority Board looks forward to hearing his conclusions, drawing on the views of external stakeholders and ONS colleagues about what works well and what could be improved.”
Cat Little, Chief Operating Officer for the Civil Service and Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office, said:
“Data and statistics are integral to decision making and the delivery of public services. I’m keen that this review supports the ONS in its unique role of producing official statistics.”