Next meeting: 26 September 2024, Edinburgh

Members present

• Sir Robert Chote (Chair)
• Dr Jacob Abboud
• Professor Sir John Aston
• Professor Sir Ian Diamond
• Ed Humpherson
• Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter
• Penny Young

Also in attendance

• Hannah Bloxham (for item 11)
• Kate Davies (for item 10)
• Sarah Henry (for item 8)
• Nigel Green (for item 9)
• Mary Gregory (for item 13)
• Sally Jones
• Sarah Moore
• Tom Taylor
• Ian Townsend (for item 12)
• Gemma N Thomas (for item 12)
• Yifan Zheng (for item 13)

Apologies

• Pete Benton
• Professor Dame Carol Propper
• Mike Keoghan

1. Apologies

1. Apologies were noted from Professor Dame Carol Propper, Pete Benton and Mike Keoghan.

2. Declarations of Interest

1. There were no new declarations of interest.

3. Minutes and matters arising from previous meetings

1. The minutes of the previous meeting held on 27 June were agreed.

4. Report from the Authority Chair [SA(24)36]

1. Non-Executive Directors had met before the meeting.
2. The Chair reported on his activities since the Board last met.
   1. Sir Robert and Sir Ian had met Alastair McAlpine, Chief Statistician Scottish Government to discuss plans for the Authority Board meeting in Edinburgh in September;
   2. on 8 July Sir Robert had attended a presentation by Professor Jonathan Haskel hosted by the Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence;
   3. on 10 July Sir Robert had attended the Royal Statistical Assembly awards to present the Campion Award for Excellence in Official Statistics. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) Explore Subnational Statistics team won the award.
   4. on 15 July alongside other Non-Executive Directors Sir Robert had attended a briefing session on progress of the Transformed Labour Force Survey / Labour Force Survey, ahead of the publication of Labour Market statistics on 18 July;
   5. on 24 July Sir Robert had attended a meeting of the Chairs of Independent Offices, hosted by the Chair of the Committee for Standards in Public Life.
3. The Board heard that Georgia Gould MP had been appointed Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office, replacing Baroness Neville Rolfe as the Minister responsible for sponsorship of the Authority.

5. Report from the Chief Executive [SA(24)37]

1. Sir Ian provided the Board with an overview of activity and issues since the last meeting, highlighting the following:
   1. the publication of a number of statistical outputs including mid-year 2023 population estimates for England and Wales and inflation statistics on 17 July; and Labour Market statistics on 18 July;
   2. the publication of the Blue Book 2024 scheduled in August;
   3. the publication of the Module 1 Report of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, which included a recommendation relating to the need for better systems of data collection;
   4. Emma Rourke had attended the National Situation Centre on 23 July to discuss links to the work of ONS;
   5. ONS’s strategic partnership through the Cabinet Office and Joint Data and Analysis Centre (JDAC) alongside the new Mission Delivery Unit would help identify how ONS statistics could be enhanced to support mission monitoring and identify any data gaps. ONS had been invited to join the mission boards that would cut across departments;
   6. ONS’s engagement with the Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT) with Lord Patrick Vallance, Minister for State for Science, Research and Innovation;
   7. the potential impact on ONS of the review by HM Treasury (HMT) of government programmes;
   8. Cabinet Office pay guidance had not yet been received. On receipt it would be considered by the Executive Committee;
   9. ONS engagement in the review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender being led by Professor Alice Sullivan, which was due for publication in the coming months; and
   10. the work by ONS regarding gender identity, following the publication by National Records of Scotland of Scotland’s Census 2022 sexual orientation and trans status statistics on 27 June. Welsh Government were due to publish Welsh language by sexual orientation and gender identity (Census 2021) on 30 July.
2. The Board heard that a Sir Ian would be joining a new group, the Senior Analytical Leadership Group alongside others including the Government Chief Scientific Adviser and Chief Medical Officer. Emma Rourke had attended an Analysis Function Board meeting, which had considered the role of the Analysis Function in the context of government missions.
3. Board members discussed the update highlighting the increased number of milestones with a red rag status in the Integrated Performance Report relating to resource challenges and the recruitment pipeline. It was noted that this was partly due to timing to onboard colleagues including security clearance, which is outside the Authority’s control. Work was already underway by People and Business Services to further refine the recruitment process. ONS analytical capacity would be used flexibly in line with the priorities set out in the business plan, which had been mapped across to the missions. Members noted the importance of the approach by ONS in supporting government insight through data for its five missions and engagement with DSIT. The recent media coverage of ONS statistics – avoidable mortality in England and Wales was noted. Sir Ian continued to work with the Ministry of Justice regarding coronial data.
4. With regard to hybrid working, it was noted that there was good attendance across all ONS sites. Industrial action was ongoing with Public and Commercial Service Union members taking part in action short of a strike in relation to hybrid working.

6. Report from the Director General of Regulation [SA(24)38]

1. Ed Humpherson provided update on regulation activity, highlighting OSR’s role during the General Election. OSR had published a number of statements covering key topics and a principes guide to their judgements.
2. OSR had provided input into the briefing activity by the Authority’s Policy Liaison Unit, which included an offer of teach ins on intelligent transparency and analytical leadership. OSR had published its assessment of ONS admin-based population estimates. Sir Ian noted thanks for the report and the work ongoing in response to the recommendations, with some already complete.
3. Board members discussed the Public Confidence in Official Statistics 2023 survey conducted by the National Centre for Social Research as an independent assessment of public trust in government statistics.
4. The Board noted the update and the importance of raising awareness of the principles of intelligent transparency for key officials across the new government including special advisers, ministers and communications teams.

7. Report from the Chair of the Regulation Committee

1. The Chair reported on the work of the Regulation Committee which had last met on 11 July.
2. The Committee had considered:
   1. agreement of accredited official statistics status for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Butterflies Statistics; and the Department for Work and Pensions Personal Independence Payments Statistics;
   2. the quality and decommissioning framework for the Labour Force Survey;
   3. approval of the draft assessment report of ONS admin-based population estimates;
   4. the scope of the review of economic statistics produced by ONS and development of the Terms of Reference;
   5. review of the Code of Practice and plans for the public consultation;
   6. OSR’s approach to the regulation of transformation activity; and
   7. the Committee’s annual self-review of effectiveness;
3. The Committee had also considered the near final draft report on gender identity data in the 2021 England and Wales Census. Ahead of the formal meeting Mary Gregory and Emma Rourke had attended to provide a brief update on the work by ONS around the topic of gender identity. The Committee had discussed the draft report at length and agreed that the final report would be circulated in correspondence including a decision on accreditation.

8. Transformed Labour Force Survey and Labour Force Survey [SA(24)39]

1. Sarah Henry introduced a paper which provided an update on progress of the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and Transformed Labour Force Survey(TLFS). The TLFS project had completed a short strategic design review to inform the forward plan, which would be underpinned by three key principles: focusing on labour market data and outputs, ambitious continuous improvement using a scientific approach and data led delivery in collaboration with users. The Executive Committee had met on 8 July and had agreed to continue the parallel run with key decision points in January and March 2025.
2. The Board had received a briefing session on 15 July ahead of the publication of Labour Market Statistics and statement on the developments of the TLFS and LFS on 18 July. The Board heard that stakeholder feedback from the wider communications on 18 July had overall been positive. An overarching strategic group was in the process of being convened with Sir Ian as Chair. Membership was being finalised and would likely include senior leaders from the Bank of England, Office for Budget Responsibility, Home Office, Department for Work and Pensions and HM Treasury.
3. Board members discussed the progress of the TLFS/LFS, noted the impact of the recent communications, and noted thanks for the briefing session held on 15 July, which had enabled the Board to provide a steer on the approach to communicating with transparency.

9. Integrated Data Service [SA(24)40]

1. Nigel Green introduced a paper which provided and update on the progress of delivery of the Integrated Data Service (IDS).
2. The Board heard that a key focus of the programme was about making the platform ready for use by government analysts, establishing opportunities to bring in valuable new data sources to showcase the value of IDS as a service. This would include key ONS and departmental datasets for analysis, indexed to the address business and demographic indexes. Discussions were ongoing with colleagues across government to showcase the value of the IDS. The Research Accreditation Panel would meet on 20 September to consider processor re-accreditation of the IDS. The timing of the Secure Research Service transition and closure would be agreed at a later date.
3. Board members discussed the update. The following points were made in discussion:
   1. the reporting of monthly maturity states against critical success factors to the most recent programme board showed that the programme was on target this month. The programme board had agreed an overall assessment of the programme as amber red;
   2. the potential scope to simplify the accreditation process for analysis projects while still providing the right level of assurance around privacy and security and appropriate use of data for the public good. This would include consideration of the legislative mechanism for governing the IDS;
   3. the challenges around data sharing including the impact on varying levels of data quality across departments;
   4. the impact post-election of machinery of government changes regarding data and timing of any potential impact on the IDS; and
   5. delivery to date and the view that the programme could perhaps have delivered more by this point, which linked to the cost benefits of continuing, future costs and long-term viability
4. The Board noted the update and highlighted that September would be key point for the programme, following a focused period of engagement to demonstrate the value of the IDS. It was agreed that the updated key performance indicators would be reported to the Board at the next meeting.

10. Business Survey Transformation Strategy [SA(24)41]

1. Kate Davies introduced a paper which provided and update on progress of the Business Survey Strategy over the last year and the plans to strengthen its delivery approach through the Future of Business Surveys and Statistics programme.
2. The Board heard that the aim of the programme included an overall reduction in the number of business surveys conducted by ONS; integrated and modularised surveys to improve operational efficiency and statistical quality; and an improved respondent experience. Since April 2023 the survey portfolio had reduced by two. The aim for the 2024/25 financial year was to reduce to around 60 business surveys through legacy reduction.
3. Board members discussed the update. It was noted that the pandemic had impacted on business survey response rates, although not in the same way as household surveys. The transition from paper to an online survey, such as the Annual Business Survey, had seen a significant increase in the response rate year on year as a result of the survey being online. An enforcement strategy was also in place through the use of the Statistics of Trade Act 1947. Work was ongoing on the use of Artificial Intelligence coding for occupational coding for surveys.
4. The Board noted the update and would remain engaged as the work progressed.

11. Whistleblowing [SA(24)42]

1. Hannah Bloxham introduced a paper which provided the annual update on Whistleblowing and Raising a Concern framework, which had recently been refreshed.
2. The Board heard that following completion of a self-assessment to benchmark effectiveness of the framework, a number of enhancements had been made to raise further awareness across the organisation. The appointment of Emma Rourke as the Speak Up Champion, an increased number of nominated officers and improved training provision. The refreshed framework focused on supporting colleagues to feel comfortable to speak up.
3. Board members discussed the update and provided feedback on approaches that had worked in other organisations to address cultural issues, such as, engaging collectively at a more local level. It was noted that the framework provided flexibility and empowered colleagues to deal with issues in a range of ways. The community of champions including respect contacts and nominated officers complemented the framework.

12. Board Effectiveness Review [SA(24)43]

1. Sally Jones introduced a paper which covered the results of the Authority Board’s self-review of effectiveness highlighting the key issues raised and proposed improvements.
2. The Board is invited to review its effectiveness on an annual basis to identify where it is performing well and where improvement might be made. The analysis highlighted that the Chair continued to provide an open and supportive culture to allow an inclusive environment for discussion. The Board had considered the right strategic topics, while also noting that there had been some surprises in important topics experiencing challenges this year. The candour and transparency of reporting challenges to the Board had improved, which had impacted positively on making the best use of the Board to the Executive. The NED Programme of Activities this year had focused the future of population and migration statistics, the TLFS/LFS and the transformation of economic statistics.
3. Members discussed the results. With regard to frequency of meetings it was agreed to revert to a rhythm of ten meetings a year, with the cancellation of the December meeting. It was noted that hybrid meetings offered the right level of flexibility. The induction programme for new NEDs would provide an opportunity for refresher training for other members.

13. Presentation: Population Statistics Projections

1. Mary Gregory and Yifan Zheng gave a live demonstration of the system for population projections. The presentation demonstrated the system ONS used for its production of population projections. It had increased the speed and reduced the risk of errors when producing the projections and addressed legacy issues.
2. The Board noted their thanks for an excellent presentation.

14. Presentation: RAP in Environmental Statistics

1. Ian Townsend gave a presentation on the application of Reproducible Analytical Pipelines across a number of outputs: Natural Capital Accounts, Quarterly Emissions and Environmental Goods and Services. In all areas this had addressed legacy issues, increased quality, reduced resources and upskilled colleagues on processes and methods.
2. The Board noted their thanks for an excellent presentation.

15. Any other business

1. The Board would next meet on Thursday 26 September.