Transforming the UK’s Evidence Base

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 14 Nov 2023 Closed: 24 May 2024 Parliament page
This inquiry is exploring how officials produce statistics and analysis, how demands for data are changing, and whether the privacy of citizens is being adequately protected as new and innovative sources become available.
15 Recommendations
21 Conclusions
1 Report
5 Oral sessions
4 Letters
5 Events
Activity timeline 16 events
6 Mar
2025
Report published
24 May
2024
Report published
12 Mar
2024
Oral evidence
12 Mar
2024
Correspondence
12 Mar
2024
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
6 Feb
2024
Oral evidence
6 Feb
2024
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
9 Jan
2024
Correspondence
19 Dec
2023
Correspondence
5 Dec
2023
Oral evidence
5 Dec
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
9 Nov
2023
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
12 Mar 2024
View on parliament.uk
Transforming the UK’s Statistical Evidence Base
Baroness Neville-Rolfe DBE CMG · Cabinet Office Professor Denise Lievesley CBE · Oxford University Steffan Jones · Cabinet Office
6 Feb 2024
View on parliament.uk
Transforming the UK’s Statistical Evidence Base
Ed Humpherson · Office for Statistics Regulation
5 Dec 2023
View on parliament.uk
Transforming the UK’s Evidence Base
Gavin Freeguard · Connected by Data John Edwards · Information Commissioner's Office Reema Patel · Ipsos UK
9 Nov 2023
View on parliament.uk
Transforming the UK’s Evidence Base
Chris Morris · Full Fact Dr Gemma Tetlow · Institute for Government Hetan Shah · British Academy
5 Sep 2023
View on parliament.uk
Transforming the UK’s Evidence Base
Professor Sir Ian Diamond · Office for National Statistics
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fifth Report - Transforming the UK’s Evidence Base HC 197 24 May 2024 36 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
4 results
Clear
8 Conclusion Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Transforming the UK…
ONS ambition to deliver high-quality population statistics and new data sources supported.
We support the Office for National Statistics in its ambition to deliver high-quality and timely population statistics. It is right to be considering whether new data sources might offer opportunities to improve the UK’s evidence base, and it is also … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation and confirms it supports the principle that statistics are for the public good, as enshrined in existing legislation. No specific new actions are committed to regarding new data sources or user engagement for the census.
View details
12 Recommendation Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Transforming the UK…
Prepare regular public OSR reports detailing data gaps across the United Kingdom.
We recommend that the OSR support this activity by preparing regular and public reports on data gaps in the UK. (Paragraph 64) Transforming the UK’s Evidence Base 41
Government Response
The OSR accepts the recommendation to prepare regular and public reports on data gaps but states that this would expand its remit and require appropriate funding. It is beginning to develop proposals for a monitoring and reporting approach for intelligent transparency across departments, which will be considered alongside funding discussions with HM Treasury.
View details
16 Recommendation Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Transforming the UK…
Require Office for Statistics Regulation to publish report on UK-wide data adequacy by April 2025.
We recommend that the Office for Statistics Regulation review and publish a report on the adequacy of UK-wide comparable data, by themes, before April 2025. (Paragraph 68) Evidence in policymaking
Government Response
The Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) states its response has focused on developing a framework for reporting data gaps across the UK and on improving intelligent transparency. It agrees harmonisation is desirable but does not explicitly commit to publishing a report on data adequacy by themes before April 2025.
View details
19 Conclusion Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Transforming the UK…
Significant mismatch exists between analysis function's ambitious vision and its limited funding.
We also identified a mismatch between the ambitious vision of the analysis function, and the very limited funding made available to deliver that vision.
Government Response
The ONS accepts the principle of the conclusion regarding funding for the Analysis Function (AF), recognizing its importance. The AF Central Team will work with HM Treasury to assess the best option for future funding, but no specific funding commitment or timeline is provided.
View details
Government Response AI assessment · 34 of 15 classified
Accepted 20
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 4
Deferred 5
Rejected 4
Total 15 recs + 21 conclusions
Correspondence 4 letters
12 Mar 2024 To committee Letter from Professor Sir Ian Diamond, National Statistician, UK Statistics Authority on additional written evidence following the 5.9.23 oral evidence session, dated 6.3.24
Parliament page
9 Jan 2024 To committee Letter from Professor Sir Ian Diamond, National Statistician on supplementary written evidence after 5.9.23 oral evidence session, dated 18.12.23
Parliament page
19 Dec 2023 To committee Letter from John Edwards, UK Information Commissioner on follow-up after the oral evidence session on 5.12.23, dated 12.12.23
Parliament page
17 Oct 2023 To committee Letter from Professor Sir Ian Diamond, National Statistician to on follow up written evidence after 5.9.23 oral evidence session, dated 5.10.23
Parliament page