Organisational context
Structure
The UKSA is an independent body at arm’s length from government and has a statutory objective of promoting and safeguarding the production and publication of official statistics that “serve the public good.” The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the executive office of the UKSA and is the largest producer of official statistics in the UK. The majority of UKSA staff work in the ONS.
Gender representation
As of March 2025:
- 55.1% of our workforce were women.
- 48.0% of our Senior Civil Service were women.
Figure 1: Breakdown of grade by gender
| Grade | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Civil Service | 52.0% | 48.0% |
| Grade 6 | 48.0% | 52.0% |
| Grade 7 | 46.3% | 53.7% |
| Senior Executive Officer | 46.4% | 53.6% |
| Higher Executive Officer | 45.0% | 55.0% |
| Executive Officer | 40.0% | 60.0% |
| Administrative Assistant/Officer | 33.0% | 67.0% |
| Interviewers | 50.0% | 50.0% |
Approach
Inclusion is one of the UKSA’s strategic pillars and we aim to be inclusive in our approach to our workforce, talent management, and the design of data, statistics, and analysis. Our Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) strategy is designed to create a workplace where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. It is built around five strategic priorities:
- A Unified Approach: We will establish a consistent and coordinated framework for I&D across the organisation, ensuring alignment in vision and action.
- Embedding Inclusion into Our DNA: Inclusion and Diversity will be integrated into all aspects of our operations, with clear accountability shared at every level.
- Driving Representation and Progression: We are committed to increasing representation of underrepresented groups and enabling their career advancement by removing systemic barriers.
- Strengthening Our Employer Brand: We will continue to position ourselves as an inclusive, equal-opportunity employer, recognised for fairness and respect.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: We will enhance our evidence base, leveraging data and insights to inform policy and measure progress effectively.