UK Statistics Authority Board minutes: 25 June 2026

Members present

• Penny Young (Chair)
• Peter Barron
• Ed Humpherson
• Professor Mairi Spowage
• Darren Tierney
• Dr. Sarah Walsh

Other attendees

• James Benford (for item 13)
• June Bowman
• Megan Cooper (for item 13)
• Fiona Dawe (for item 12)
• Lucinda Eggleton (for items 6 and 12)
• Steve Ellerd-Elliott (for item 11)
• Mary Gregory
• Joe Moore (for item 14)
• Sarah Moore
• Jane Naylor (for item 11)
• Philippa Robinson (for item 12)
• Rachel Skentelbery (for item 11)
• Tom Taylor
• Ross Tivey (for item 14)

Secretariat

• Sally Jones
• Tom Marsh

Apologies

• Dr. Jacob Abboud
• Professor Dame Carol Propper

1. Apologies

1. Apologies were noted from Dr Jacob Abboud and Professor Dame Carol Propper.

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 21 May were agreed.

4. Report from the Authority Chair [SA(26)37]

1. The Chair reported on her activities since the Board last met. Penny Young had attended the Inter Administration Committee held in Welsh Government on 22 June; and alongside Darren Tierney had attended an informal session with the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) as part of their ongoing inquiry into the work of the Authority on 24 June. Preparations were well underway for the Chair’s inaugural annual reception on 2 July. The draft speech would be circulated to members for comment.
2. The Chair noted thanks to Non-executive Directors for providing comment in correspondence on ONS’s long term People Plan. The recruitment process for the Director of the National Statistician’s Office had concluded with the appointment of Jane Naylor.

5. Report from the Permanent Secretary [SA(26)38]

1. Darren Tierney provided the Board with an overview of activity and issues since the last meeting highlighting the following:
   1. the Authority’s Annual Report and Accounts 2025/26 had been discussed by the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee at its meeting on 23 June with a recommendation that the Board approve the report at this meeting ahead of laying early July;
   2. the annual opinion from the Head of Internal Audit (HIA) 2025/26 is ‘limited’, which although disappointing was not unexpected given the pace at which ONS had been able to address weaknesses identified in 2024/25 internal audit reviews. That said the HIA recognised in her opinion that ONS is in a stronger position to address the challenges and priorities in 2026/27;
   3. following work across the organisation including a new mission statement, leadership commitment and publication of a three year ONS business plan, and following consultation including with NEDs (and a discussion at this meeting), these elements of ONS’s strategic framework had been brought together to inform an ONS Strategy 2026-28, which would be published on 1 July;
   4. following extensive consultation, including with NEDs, the ONS long term People Plan would be published mid-July;
   5. the quarterly update on the Survey and Economic Statistics Improvement Plan was scheduled for publication mid-July;
   6. progress in addressing the recently reported Labour Force Survey (LFS) operational error, which had led to temporary under resourcing in LFS telephone collection operations. James Benford had updated the Board immediately in correspondence and published a blog on 19 June 2026, ‘Learning from an operational issue temporarily impacting LFS data, in support of our continued recovery’;
   7. the Content and Website Transformation Programme reported ‘amber’ with work in development to address uncertainty around resources, funding and operating model; and
   8. the Executive Committee (ExCo) had discussed how best to further strengthen the measuring and reporting office attendance following agreement on hybrid working principles. Implementing the hybrid working principles continued to be a key focus for the Senior Leadership Team.
2. Members discussed the LFS operational error fully and were keen to understand the root cause of the error and whether it was a symptom of a more general problem amongst colleagues and teams having a full understanding of how their contribution fits into producing the end statistical product. It was clarified that people cultural improvements had not yet permeated throughout the organisation although progress had been made.
3. Members discussed the latest position on the Field Interviewer upscale with a focus on challenges in achieving the required levels despite a range of interventions around sourcing, onboarding, training and retention.
4. The Board noted with thanks the immediate and transparent reporting by James Benford to the Board regarding the LFS operational error. With regard to hybrid working principles it was acknowledged that it was important to give sufficient time to embed the principles across the organisation. The Board agreed that going forward office attendance would be reported to Board as part of the Permanent Secretary’s report.

6. Report from the National Statistician’s Office [SA(26)39]

1. Lucinda Eggleton provided an update on activities across the National Statistician’s Office (NSO) highlighting the work by the NSO Analysis Unit on the potential use of administrative data as part of a cross-government initiative.
2. The Board heard that a report on the UN conference currently being attended by James Benford would be provided at the next meeting. The International Team had played a key role in the Global Data Festival in Nairobi. The ethnicity harmonised standard consultation on user needs had progressed with next steps to include research including focus groups and roundtables with users in July. The aim was to deliver the revised harmonised standard for use in the 2027 Census Test. The Inter Administration Committee had met on 22 June and discussed coherence with progress being made by Chief Statisticians.
3. The Chair noted thanks to Lucinda Eggleton for her work as Director of NSO. It was noted that work was on target to deliver the new harmonised standard for sex, which would be considered by the ad hoc panel chaired by the Interim Chair at the end of July. It was agreed that the draft wording would be shared with the Panel in advance of the discussion.

7. Report from the Director General for Regulation [SA(26)40]

1. Ed Humpherson updated the Board on the work by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) since the last meeting.
2. The Regulation Committee had agreed confirmation of accreditation for ONS Business Enterprise Research and Development statistics. OSR had published its response to ONS’s report on progress on economic statistics in April noting the progress made and remaining risks and challenges. It was noted that OSR would likely do one more formal response to ONS quarterly updates.
3. OSR had published the State of the Statistical System Report that day (25 June), which would feature in the Chair’s inaugural event on 2 July. The report highlighted the strategic areas of focus for the incoming National Statistician when in post. The report showed a statistical system that, as a whole, was working well despite challenges faced by ONS. There remained clear structural challenges around resources, response rates and publishing statistics in a contested environment. This had been seen with a recent piece of casework relating to misleading references to the increase in the number of people in receipt of Universal Credit a member of the Shadow Cabinet, which had been dealt with in line with standard procedures as detailed in the Authority’s Intervention policy.
4. Members discussed the update and noted the continuing growth of OSR’s impact. It was noted that OSR’s new prioritisation triage tool would help inform the review of statistics OSR had not reviewed in some time in a proportionate and risk-based way. A more detailed update on the new tool was scheduled for the next Regulation Committee meeting after which an update would also be provided for the Board.

8. Update from the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee Chair

1. Dr Sarah Walsh reported on the work of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee which had last met on 23 June.
2. The Committee had considered:
   1. the Head of Internal Audit annual opinion of ‘limited’ for a second consecutive year, and highlighted the need for timely completion of audit actions by the business to address control weakness early in the financial year in working towards an improved HIA year end opinion in 2026/27 financial year;
   2. the Annual Report and Accounts 2025/26. External Audit would be recommending to the Comptroller and Auditor General that he should certify the 2025/26 financial statements with an unqualified audit opinion;
   3. the production of an Interim Governance Statement by ONS at month nine at the request of the Committee had been effective in the production of the Annual Report and Accounts and would be retained as part of process going forward;
   4. the annual update by the Office for Statistics Regulation including additional information on OSR’s approach to risk management as previously requested by the Committee, which had provided a high level of assurance;
   5. the annual update by the Data Protection Officer on the Authority’s compliance with data protection legislation and the programme of work by the Legal and Data Services Team, which had provided a high level of assurance;
   6. an update on the financial position at the end of May 2026;
   7. an update on the Authority Gifts and Hospitality Register; and
   8. the approach to the Committee’s annual review of self-effectiveness to be undertaken over the summer.
3. The Committee had welcomed the unqualified audit opinion. The Committee had approved the Authority’s financial statements and confirmed the Accounting Officer should sign the Letter of Representation and Letter of Understanding, subject to the resolution of a few minor issues ahead of consideration by the Comptroller and Auditor General early July and laying in parliament on 9 July.
4. The Board noted thanks to the Committee for their work in 2025/26 and endorsed the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee’s annual report including the opinion Dr Jacob Abboud, Chair of ARAC.

9. Communications Update

1. Peter Barron and Sarah Moore reported on external sentiment since the last meeting, which had overall been good, but with some critical coverage of Gross Domestic Product seasonal adjustment and the Labour Force Survey operational issue. Blogs were published by James Benford providing clarity and transparency on both of these topics for users.
2. It was acknowledged that there were opportunities for media coverage in the coming weeks. The twelve month anniversary of Darren’s appointment as Permanent Secretary would provide  opportunities to report on ONS delivery progress. In due course the report by the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee Inquiry on the work of the Authority would be published and the announcement for the new National Statistician would be made. Additionally the inaugural event by the Chair on 2 July would also be an opportunity to share our view on the strengths and challenges of the system.

10. UK Statistics Authority Annual Report and Accounts 2026/26 [SA(26)41]

1. Tom Taylor and Rhys Thomas introduced the near final version of the Authority’s Annual Report and Accounts 2025/26, which had been approved by the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee subject to a small number of issues being resolved, including an issue on remuneration disclosure being dealt with in accordance with due process and procedure.
2. ARAC members noted their thanks to the finance team, highlighting that the process for the production of the report had been effective and much improved on the previous year. The report accurately reflected a balanced view of the year recognising the challenges faced by ONS and areas of improvement. It was acknowledged that the report focused on ONS with a separate annex on the Office for Statistics Regulation.
3. The Board approved the Authority’s Annual Report and Accounts 2025/26 in readiness for certification by the Comptroller and Auditor General and laying the report before Parliament early July.

11. Government Statistical Service Vision [SA(26)42]

1. The Chair welcomed Jane Naylor, Jason Bradbury and Rachel Skentelbery to the meeting and congratulated Jane Naylor on her new role as Director of the National Statistician’s Office. The Deputy Heads of GSS introduced an update on the implementation of the Government Statistical Service Vision, ‘Strength in Numbers’ with a focus on the work underway to assess and embed the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across the GSS.
2. The Board heard that in implementing the GSS vision, progress had been made in all areas. Following engagement with the Board and Heads of Profession a GSS Strategic Risk Register reflecting system level risks was in place. With regard to system leadership the absence of a National Statistician was creating ongoing uncertainty and a gap in analytical influence at the most senior levels in government. The first meeting of GSS leadership development programme group had been held comprising representatives from across the statistical system including Professor Mairi Spowage on behalf of the Board. Progress had also been made assessing and embedding AI – with the GSS AI group established in March focusing on understanding the current AI landscape within the GSS; identifying and addressing gaps in AI use/guidance for statistics; establishing mechanisms for sharing and updating best practice; and identifying any actions to develop AI capability within the GSS.
3. Members discussed the update. The following points were made in discussion:
   1. the vision provided a clearly prioritised view of where the incoming National Statistician should focus on appointment;
   2. the impact of the lack of a National Statistician across the statistical system, including with other Permanent Secretaries providing senior level influence to drive evidence based decision making through the use of statistics.  It was noted that Darren Tierney could be utilised more to influence and update the Permanent Secretary forum as needed;
   3. in relation to AI, the use of Copilot for quality assurance and drafting statistician’s commentary, and the importance of always having human input as part of the process;
   4. the range of views on the use of AI across the statistical system and the importance of safe testing environment for AI to effectively mitigate the risks;
   5. the impact on the coding community of experts on the growth of coding by AI; and
   6. the need to apply clear guidance on what could be processed with AI with consideration of the legal and data security perspective.
4. The Board noted thanks for the significant progress made on the implementation of the GSS Vision led by the Deputy Heads of the Government Statistical Service working with colleagues across the GSS.

12. UK Statistics Assembly Update [SA(26)43]

1. Philippa Robinson introduced a paper which provided a update on delivery against recommendations from the inaugural UK Statistics Assembly in January 2025. Since the last update to the Board in March the NSO had worked with recommendation owners to track progress. The draft report reflected feedback from GSS Heads of Profession, the National Statistics Executive Group and the National Statistician’s Expert User Advisory Group. The aim was to publish the report in July.
2. Members discussed the progress made and draft report. The following points were made in discussion.
   1. as reflected in OSR’s State of the Statistical System Report 2026 the Board endorses its suggestion to publish a clear time-bound plan for taking forward the four Statistics Assembly priority areas;
   2. the need to provide clarity and specificity on the top four priorities out of the Assembly reflecting the work by ONS on the development of the refreshed user engagement strategy and work on coherence of UK wide statistics by Chief Statisticians; and
   3. the draft report could be improved by quantifying progress made including infographics and charts.
3. The Board noted the progress made and highlighted the need to provide clarity from priority owners summarising actual progress for the four priority areas: user engagement; granular statistics; and great use of administrative data and UK wide coherence. It was agreed that the draft report would be updated to reflect the Board discussion and circulated to members in advance of publication.

13. Survey and Economic Statistics Improvement Plan [SA(26)44]

1. Megan Cooper and James Benford introduced a paper, which focused on an early draft of the next quarterly progress update of the Surveys and Economic Statistics improvement plan scheduled for publication on 15 July. This would be the first publication of the Economic Statistics Plan and Survey Improvement Enhancement Plan. In terms of timing of the next Transformed Labour Force Survey publication it had been agreed that it would follow later in the summer. The Board heard about progress since papers had been circulated. ONS had engaged with the Head of Profession’s office and OSR and had undertaken a deep dive on ONS statistics that had lost their accreditation to provide clarity in the published update on ONS’s forward path to accreditation.
2. Board members discussed the draft quarterly report. The following comments were made in discussion:
   1. the reference to the Statistical Business Register search and view capability roll out to users with a suggestion to include the total volume of users to provide context;
   2. the need to include a brief explainer on the Waiting Room concept and to clarify that legacy is not something that would be solved quickly;
   3. for a future update ONS may want to provide further detail on stakeholder sentiment; and
   4. the importance of referencing actual survey response rates rather than reframing as an indexed measure.
3. The Board welcomed early sight of the draft SES publication. It was agreed that it would be useful to include a reference in the publication to the recent LFS operational error. A further draft would be circulated for comment in advance of publication. It was noted that OSR’s response to the publication would likely be the last of its kind given the progress to date.

14. ONS Strategy [SA(26)45]

1. Joe Moore and Ross Tivey introduced a paper which set out a draft organisational strategy for ONS.  Since publication of the Board’s priorities in October 2025 ONS had agreed a new mission and leadership statements, strategic objectives and outcomes and published its three year business plan.
2. The Board heard that the draft ONS strategy brought together the elements of the ONS strategic framework into one coherent strategy, sitting below the Authority’s system-wide priorities and above ONS’s business and recovery plans. It is a two year strategy, and henced focused primarily on recovery rather than the longer term strategic questions.
3. Members discussed the draft and highlighted that it would be useful to reference the UK Statistics Assembly and to include detail on ONS assurance more generally with reference to risk management, Internal Audit and National Audit Office alongside OSR as independent regulator. Reference could also be made to potential AI opportunities to support legacy transformation.
4. The Board endorsed the ONS Strategy ahead of publication on 1 July.