Office for Statistics Regulation correspondence to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee on the State of the Statistical System Report

Dear Mr Hoare,

OSR State of the Statistical System Report

Today the Office for Statistics Regulation has published its annual State of the Statistical System Report. This report draws on our regulatory work and insights to highlight the progress and improvements we have seen across the UK statistical system, while also setting out the key issues, risks and priorities shaping its future.

Ahead of the reception with the Chair of the UK Statistics Authority and indeed the appointment of a new National Statistician, I consider the central theme running through the report - that the statistical system in the UK is increasingly having to make difficult choices - is particularly pertinent. The system is working in a period of leadership transition, and one where resource constraints mean prioritisation decisions are becoming more visible.

We have made five key recommendations focused on areas where clearer system leadership is needed, with a focus on:

• Resources and capacity
• Survey quality
• Delivery of Statistics Assembly priorities
• The use of artificial intelligence in official statistics
• Implementation of the revised Code of Practice for Statistics.

These recommendations are directed to the National Statistician once appointed, given their leadership of the GSS and the wider statistical system.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any queries, or if you or your fellow committee members would like to discuss the report further.

Yours sincerely,

Ed Humpherson
Director General for OSR