Background

1. In September 2021 the National Statistician’s (NS’) Independent Task Force on Inclusive Data (IDTF) published its report making 46 recommendations to achieve a step change in the inclusivity of UK data and evidence. The responding Implementation Plan was published in January 2022 and is discussed at Item 4 of the agenda.
2. The NSIDAC has been created by the NS to provide external to government and independent challenge, advice and scrutiny on the activities being undertaken across the UK statistical system to achieve improved data inclusivity.

Role and responsibilities

1. The role of the National Statistician’s Inclusive Data Advisory Committee (NSIDAC) is to provide independent advice to the National Statistician on the ongoing implementation of the Inclusive Data Task Force’s recommendations for improving the inclusivity of data and evidence, across the UK Statistical System.
2. Specific responsibilities include:
   1. Advice on prioritisation in progressing the Inclusive Data Task Force’s recommendations and the associated published Implementation Plan
   2. Provision of independent advice and scrutiny of approaches being developed to improve the coverage and quality of data and evidence on inclusivity #
   3. Advice on updating harmonised data standards and guidance on personal characteristics, including the handling of consultation on changes
   4. Advice on improving data accessibility and evidence to the wider population
   5. Advice on optimal ways to engage widely with the public and population groups on the work of the Implementation Plan
   6. Advice on potential collaborations to develop the work in an impactful and efficient way
   7. Taking a view on progress of the delivery of the published Implementation Plan to feed into monitoring and evaluation
3. To facilitate timely oversight, the Committee can consider papers via correspondence.

Meetings

1. The Committee will meet at least four times a year. The Chair may convene additional meetings as deemed necessary.
2. The Chair may invite other relevant experts, as appropriate, to advise the Committee.
3. The Secretariat will provide reports following each of its meetings to the National Statistician.
4. The Committee will receive all papers prior to its meetings, allowing sufficient time for review.
5. The Committee will operate transparently. Meeting minutes and papers will be made publicly available on the UK Statistics Authority website.
6. Where papers are considered by correspondence, a minute of the discussion via correspondence will be presented at the next meeting and published on the UK Statistics Authority website.

Membership

1. Membership will comprise:
   1. An independent Chair appointed by the National Statistician;
   2. Independent external members and an international member.
2. Membership appointments are for 2 years, with the option to review after the first year.

Quorum

1. Meetings will be considered quorate when four or more members are present as well as the Chair or the Chair’s delegated nominee.
2. Where papers are considered by correspondence, the Committee will be considered quorate when four or more members provide feedback as well as the Chair or the Chair’s delegated nominee.
3. Substitutes will not be permitted to attend meetings, unless with the invitation of the Chair.

Support

1. The Office for National Statistics Centre for Equality and Inclusion (Statistical Coherence and Inclusion Division) will provide the technical support to the Committee. ONS teams will provide secretariat support in terms of arrangement of meetings, minutes and monitoring actions.
2. Contributions to meetings and advice to the National Statistician will be sought from the UK Statistics Authority Data Governance, Legislation and Policy team, the Centre for Equality and Inclusion (Statistical Coherence and Inclusion Division), other teams across ONS, and the wider UK statistical system, including about the wider inclusive data landscape, priorities and strategic issues.

Review

1. The Committee will review the effectiveness of its meetings and its terms of reference annually.

NSIDAC Secretariat

7 October 2022