What role has the Government played in the decline of the UK’s official statistics? MPs to question Cabinet Office
The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committeewill hold the final session of its inquiry into the work of the UK Statistics Authority (UKSA).
Meeting details
The Committee will question Cabinet Office Minister Josh Simons and Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office Cat Little.
In the last evidence session, Professor Sir Ian Diamond warned that funding pressures may force the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to prioritise economic statistics at the expense of crucial social data. PACAC recently published several letters between the ONS, UKSA and the Treasury, where Sir Ian warned about the risk of a ‘flat cash settlement’ limiting the organisation’s capacity to deliver wider programmes.
In light of this, MPs will likely ask about ongoing funding cuts, as well as examine the Cabinet Office’s role in the UK’s statistical system, including its involvement in leadership appointments and its Ministerial responsibilities for the UKSA.
The UKSA and the Cabinet Office’s recent decision to split the National Statistician post may also be discussed.