Today, the UK Statistics Authority and the Cabinet Office have published Sir Robert Devereux’s independent review of the performance and culture of the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The review makes three main recommendations:
- ONS needs a focused and consistent effort to improve core statistics;
- Changes are needed in the way in which ONS is led; and
- Governance of the ONS and the wider system merits further consideration.
A joint response from the Authority and the Cabinet Office to the review’s recommendations has also been published today.
Sir Robert Chote, UK Statistics Authority Chair said:
“On behalf of the Authority Board I would like to thank Sir Robert for his review and the many members of ONS staff who spoke with him to inform it. We welcome the steps that the ONS has already taken in the last few weeks to strengthen its management and set out a clear plan to improve the quality of economic statistics.
“We also support Sir Robert’s recommendation to separate the roles of the National Statistician and the senior leader of the ONS, at least temporarily, to provide managerial and statistical leadership during this turnaround period. We look forward to working with both to help the ONS restore confidence in and improve the quality of its statistics for the public good.
“We will also work with the Cabinet Office and the statistical community to develop long-term arrangements for effective governance of ONS and the wider statistical system.”
Cat Little, Chief Operating Officer for the Civil Service and Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office, said:
“I am grateful to Sir Robert and his secretariat for bringing this report together, and to all of those involved in sharing insight and experiences as part of the review.
“Our collective priority is to respond quickly and act upon the issues raised in Sir Report’s report. It is vital that we continue to support the ONS in its unique role of producing official statistics.”