The Methodological Assurance Review Panel (MARP) Sub-group on Migration Statistics has been established to provide independent, expert technical assurance on the methodology used to produce migration statistics. Convened by the National Statistician, this sub-group operates under the broader MARP framework, which supports the production of official statistics in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics, particularly its emphasis on quality assurance through peer review.
This sub-group plays a vital role in ensuring that the statistical methods underpinning migration estimates are robust, transparent, and continuously improving. Its responsibilities include:
- Offering external, independent assurance and guidance on the methodologies used in migration statistics.
- Identifying gaps and risks in current methods and recommending strategies for mitigation.
- Reviewing and contributing to the ongoing development and refinement of statistical techniques.
- Providing oversight of methodological deep dives undertaken by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) across its migration statistics portfolio.
The MARP sub-group on Migration Statistics will meet as and when required.
June 2025
Overview
The International Migration Review Panel provides external, independent technical assurance, review and guidance on the statistical methodology used to estimate international migration.
Introduction
The Panel is a sub-group of the Methodological Assurance Review Panel (MARP), responsible for advising on methods developed for and used to estimate international migration. It supports the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in ensuring that methods are robust, transparent, and meet the standards set out in the Code of Practice for Statistics.
Functions
The Panel plays a key role in supporting the methodological integrity of international migration statistics by fulfilling the following core functions:
- providing external, independent technical assurance, review and guidance on the statistical methodology used to estimate international migration.
- identifying gaps and risks in methods and making suggestions for mitigation, including advice on data sources.
- reviewing and verifying the methods being developed for the official estimates of international migration and contribute to their continuous improvement.
- reviewing and verifying the methods used for alternative definitions, classifications and breakdowns of migration statistics.
- suggesting new approaches to methods development.
- forming a significant part of ONS quality assurance of international migration methods and providing advice and guidance via reports as necessary to the National Statistician’s Advisory Panel.
Reporting and Governance
The Panel reports to, advises and assures the Deputy Director of Population and Migrations Research and Development (PMRD), who also acts as the convener.
Chairing
The convener of the Panel is the Deputy Director of PMRD.
Membership
The Panel consists of up to 8 external members selected to provide a breadth of experience and expertise. Members are appointed by the convener. If specific expertise is required for a particular method extension, additional experts may be co-opted, with agreement by the convener to take part in discussion and meetings.
Transparency and Confidentiality
The Panel operates under a confidentiality undertaking signed by all members. Agendas and papers will be published unless deemed sensitive.
Code of Conduct
Panel members are expected to provide their expertise and advice on the topics they are asked to consider. Members are welcome to share papers in advance with colleagues on a need-to-know basis to develop their advice within the constraints outlined in the Confidentiality Undertaking which all panel members are requested to sign. If Panel members wish to share a paper more widely, this can be decided by the chair of the Panel on a case-by-case basis.
On occasion members will be asked to consider topics of a sensitive nature. In these instances, certain restrictions will apply. These will be clearly set out by the Panel secretariat in advance of receiving any papers. Members who feel they are not able to abide with the restrictions will not receive papers and will be asked not to attend the relevant meeting.
Secretariat
The secretariat will be provided by the ONS.
Meetings
The Panel meets as required, with frequency and agenda set by the convener.
| Member | Position | Declaration of Interest |
|---|---|---|
| Professor Nik Lomax (Chair) | University of Leeds and a fellow at the Alan Turing Institute for data science and artificial intelligence | • Co-director of the Consumer Data Research Centre • Member of the Home Office Science Advisory Council • Director of the Healthy and Sustainable Places Data Service • Provides advice/consulting services to public and private sector on data strategy, data analytics and modelling |
| Professor Arkadiusz Wiśniowski | University of Manchester | No relevant interest |
| Jakub Bijak | University of Southampton and Centre for Population Change | • Member of UK Population Theme Advisory Board (UKPTAB) at Office for National Statistics. • Scientific advisory group , Dynamic Population Model (DPM) at Office for National Statistics. • National Population Projections expert panel at Office for National Statistics. • Advisory Board member, IOM Global Migration Data Analysis Centre (GMDAC) • External expert, European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) • Commissioned work for the Home Office |
| Georgina Sturge | Migration Observatory | • Research Affiliate at COMPAS, School of Anthropology, University of Oxford |
| Marie McAuliffe | Independent Consultant | Affiliations (e.g., academic, professional bodies): • Sir Roland Wilson Fellow, School of Demography, Australian National University • Non-resident Senior Associate, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Washington DC • Senior Fellow, Global Migration Centre, Graduate Institute, Geneva • Associate Editor, Harvard Data Science Review journal, Harvard University Advisory Roles (e.g., committees, boards): • Editorial Board, International Migration journal, Oxford • Editorial Board, Migration Studies journal, Oxford • Editorial Board, Migration and Development journal, New Delhi • Advisory Board, Migration Policy Centre at the European University Institute, Florence Consultancy Work (e.g., paid/unpaid advisory services): • PoliSync Centre for International Policy Engagement, Geneva –consultant to the forthcoming Migration Shift Hub (from late August 2025) • IOM Geneva – World Migration Report editor |
Regular ONS attendees
- Victoria Chenery: Head of International Migration Research and Development
- Melissa Randall: Head of Migration Statistics