There is a major overhaul underway at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) following a report that highlights organisational failures. The Devereux Review has also warned of the likelihood that past statistics would need to be revised.
In response the ONS has published its new strategy for improving the quality of its economic statistics. “Our priority now is to address the findings raised and implement Sir Robert’s recommendations,” said the ONS in response to the review.
The ONS said the strategy emphasises continuous improvement and will “place more people with the right skills in each production area.” The plan also satisfies the requirement to produce such a strategy from the Office for Statistics Regulation.
“It is important that the ONS implement this strategy promptly in order to improve the quality of our core statistics as soon as possible,” it said.
To do this, the ONS said it will have to reallocate budget and employees and “refocus some activity.” This will be done within the current funding envelope and will be supported and overseen by the UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) Board.
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The changes will also see its top role split in two with the roles of national statistician and leader of the ONS separating, at least temporarily. This will mean appointing an additional senior leader to the ONS, which will start recruiting shortly. Once in post, they will be charged with delivering the strategy and addressing the issues identified in the Devereux review.
“We agree with the Review’s conclusion that changes are needed in the way the ONS is led, how decisions are made and how risk is managed,” said the ONS, who added that the acting national statistician is already broadening the membership of the ONS’s Executive Committee and simplified its management structures.
To that end, James Benford, currently the Bank of England’s executive director for data and analytics transformation and previously director of the economics group at HM Treasury, has been appointed director general of ONS’ Economic, Social and Environmental Group with overall responsibility for economic statistics. He will take up his post on August 4.
A formal process will be launched soon for the post of national statistician, focused on finding an expert to provide statistical advice to the Board, Government and ONS, and leadership across the Government Statistical Service and the broader statistical community.
Looking ahead, the ONS added that it expects to change the primary legislation which underpins the UKSA to adopt a more appropriate model for ONS’ governance.
