UK Statistics Authority responds to report by the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Today, Parliament’s Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) has published the report of its inquiry into the work of the UK Statistics Authority, which commenced in April last year. 

The Authority thanks the committee for its detailed work. 

Penny Young, Interim Chair of the UK Statistics Authority, said:

“Much has changed since PACAC launched their inquiry a year and a half ago, as the report clearly acknowledges. As an independent public body accountable to Parliament, the Authority is determined to use PACAC’s findings to strengthen the statistical system further.

“Over the past year we have been supporting and scrutinising the ONS’s hard work on recovery. The Permanent Secretary and his new senior team have worked transparently with us and their stakeholders. The Board has also set clear priorities for the wider statistical system which will be led by André Loranger, the next National Statistician.

“We agree with the committee that careful scrutiny of the transition to the new Transformed Labour Force Survey is required, together with a continued focus on openness and statistical quality. Recruitment of a permanent Chair and Non-Executive Directors to the Authority Board should also proceed urgently.

“The Board of the Authority will now consider all the findings and recommendations carefully before responding to the report in full.”