Our Code consultation closed at 5pm 5 October 2017. If you have any queries concerning the consultation please email: regulation@statistics.gov.uk

This three month consultation, which will take place from 5 July 2017 until 5 October 2017, provides an opportunity for producers, users and the wider community to see how the Authority proposes to refresh its Code of Practice for Official Statistics, and ensure that public confidence in statistics is maintained at the highest level.

Speaking today, Chair of the UK Statistics Authority, Sir David Norgrove, said:

“Following extensive engagement, the Authority is proposing to refocus the Code of Practice for Official Statistics, around the themes of Trustworthiness, Quality and Value. This consultation provides an opportunity for users to feed-back their views on our proposals, and ensure that the Code of Practice continues to help us safeguard the production and publication of official statistics, for the public good.”

The consultation is the next-stage in a year-long ‘stock-take’ of the Code of Practice, during which the Authority has worked closely with members of the Government Statistical Service and the user community.

To take part in the consultation please visit statistics-authority.helpful.ws/publication/code-of-practice/consultation

For more information please contact press office on M: 07780 222569

Note for Editors

The Code of Practice for Statistics is an important tool in protecting official statistics by setting the standards which must be met to ensure the public can have confidence in them.

These standards are used:

  • By statisticians, and other analysts when producing and publishing official statistics;
  • By the Office for Statistics Regulation when determining whether official statistics can be called National Statistics;
  • By the Authority when publically challenging the misuse of statistics.

We also hope that the Code will support judgements about the publication of wider numerical information.