New inquiry into the UK Statistics Authority launched
7 April 2025
A new inquiry into the performance and governance of the UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) is being launched by the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) today.
The inquiry will examine the extent to which the UKSA is operating effectively, including the performance of the two bodies it oversees, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR).
The Committee is seeking to understand how the independent public body will ensure official figures are resilient and credible as technology and artificial intelligence create a more uncertain data landscape.
Over the course of the last year, the reliability of data produced by the ONS has been questioned by many sources. This inquiry will scrutinise the role of the UKSA in this, including its relationship with Government and the bodies it oversees, and the effectiveness of the UK's statistics regulator.
While issues with data and underlying surveys are now well established, it is not yet clear why these were not identified and addressed earlier. In light of this, the Committee will be exploring whether difficulties with the ONS economic data are an anomaly or whether problems run deeper within the organisation.
MPs will look closely at how the ONS is delivering some of its most important programmes: the Transformed Labour Force Survey, Integrated Data Service and its reimagining of the traditional Census.
Chair comment
Chair of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Simon Hoare MP, said:
“We are all familiar with the phrase lies, damned lies and statistics. While used light-heartedly for the most part, it reminds us that we must strive to always ensure we have robust statistics that can command public confidence and enable well-informed policymaking.
“We have a mature and respected sector, but we cannot rest on historic laurels. This inquiry will ensure the UKSA is held accountable for delivering high quality data, today and in the future.”
Terms of reference
The Committee invites written evidence answering any of the following questions:
- How well served are policy-makers, researchers, businesses and citizens, by the data that ONS produces and the services it provides;
- How is the UK’s data environment evolving, and what challenges and opportunities does this present official statisticians and analysts? What does the development of a National Data Library mean for the ONS;
- How successful has the OSR been in identifying issues with official data, and making the case for improvements;
- How does the UKSA Board carry out its statutory functions, and how involved is it in the decisions taken by senior leaders at ONS and OSR.
Submissions can be made here. The deadline for submitting evidence is Monday 12 May 2025.
Further information
Image: House of Commons