Code of Practice for Official Statistics: Report on the consultation and ...

The application <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Code</strong>
10. Section 12 <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Statistics</strong> and Registration Service Act 2007 requires the
Authority, at the request <strong>of</strong> ministers, to assess and determine whether the
<strong>Code</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Practice</strong> has been complied with in relation to any <strong>of</strong>ficial statistics.
Where the Authority determines that the <strong>Code</strong> has been complied with, it is
required to designate the statistics as ‘National <strong>Statistics</strong>’. Otherwise, it must
decline to designate them. Section 14 <strong>of</strong> the Act places a similar duty on the
Authority to assess existing National <strong>Statistics</strong>, <strong>of</strong> which there were some 1200
identified sets at the time the Act came in to <strong>for</strong>ce in April 2008.
11. For a set <strong>of</strong> statistics designated as ‘National <strong>Statistics</strong>’, the body responsible
<strong>for</strong> their production is under a statutory duty to continue to comply with the
<strong>Code</strong>. The Authority must re-assess, from time to time, whether those statistics
continue to be <strong>Code</strong>-compliant. The <strong>Code</strong> places different obligations on
different groups <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficials within bodies that produce <strong>of</strong>ficial statistics: those
with direct responsibility <strong>for</strong> statistical functions have obligations in relation
to pr<strong>of</strong>essional independence and <strong>for</strong> quality assurance; other <strong>of</strong>ficials need
to ensure an environment in which statistical production and pr<strong>of</strong>essional
independence are supported.
12. The requirements <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Code</strong> are specific but, given its conciseness, there
will <strong>of</strong>ten be a need <strong>for</strong> interpretation and pr<strong>of</strong>essional judgement. The
National Statistician, as the pr<strong>of</strong>essional head <strong>of</strong> the Government Statistical
Service, will provide supplementary advice and guidance to assist producers
<strong>of</strong> statistics. However, as required by the Act, the process <strong>of</strong> assessment and
determination <strong>of</strong> compliance with the <strong>Code</strong> will be conducted independently
under the authority <strong>of</strong> the Head <strong>of</strong> Assessment 3 , who may also <strong>of</strong>fer guidance.
13. The establishment <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Code</strong> and robust assessment processes will,
in addition to helping to ensure the objectivity and impartiality <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficial
statistics, help the Authority to promote and defend good practice and to
support statisticians in pointing out misuse <strong>of</strong> statistics. The United Nations
Fundamental Principles <strong>of</strong> <strong>Official</strong> <strong>Statistics</strong> states that:
“While statistics can be used and interpreted in many different and
acceptable ways, it is important <strong>for</strong> the maintenance <strong>of</strong> trust and
credibility <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficial statistics that attention is drawn by statistical agencies
to obvious public incorrect use or interpretation, along with the correct use.”
3 The Head <strong>of</strong> Assessment is a statutory <strong>of</strong>fice holder – a post established under Section 33 <strong>of</strong> the
<strong>Statistics</strong> and Registration Service Act 2007.
Consultation Document | <strong>Code</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Practice</strong> | Introduction 5