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Today we publish Sir Robert Devereux’s report into the performance and culture of the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Alongside the review, the ONS has published its new strategy for improving the quality of its economic statistics, which Sir Robert has commended. 

The Review captures a range of issues facing the ONS and our priority now is to address the findings raised and implement Sir Robert’s recommendations. We thank Sir Robert for his time, dedication and expertise over the last few months, as well as the many ONS staff who shared their views and experiences as part of the review.

1. ONS needs a focused and consistent effort to improve core statistics

For the UK government and wider users to make informed decisions, the provision of timely, accurate, and readily accessible statistics is paramount.

We agree with this recommendation and welcome the ONS’ new strategy ‘Restoring confidence, improving quality: the plan for ONS economic statistics’ which has been published alongside the review. The strategy rightly 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.

To do this the ONS will have to reallocate some financial and human resources and refocus some activity. This will be done within the current funding envelope and will be supported and overseen by the UKSA Board.

2. Changes are needed in the way in which ONS is led

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. The Acting National Statistician has already taken the welcome step of broadening the membership of the ONS’s Executive Committee and has simplified its management structures.

We are pleased that 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 4 August.

Sir Robert has recommended that the roles of National Statistician and leader of the ONS should be separated, at least temporarily. This will mean appointing an additional senior leader to the ONS with a track record of running a complex operational business. We strongly agree and will start recruitment shortly. Once in post, they will be charged with delivering the strategy and addressing the issues identified in Robert Devereux’s review.

A formal process will be launched as soon as possible 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.

3. Governance of ONS and the wider system merits further consideration

We agree and note that this was also a theme of the 2024 Lievesley Review. Cabinet Office and UKSA will as a matter of priority consider legal advice, as well as the views of users and the broader statistical community, in the expectation that we will change the primary legislation which underpins the UKSA to adopt a more appropriate model of governance for the ONS.

Sir Robert Chote, Chair, UK Statistics Authority

Cat Little CB, Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office and

Civil Service Chief Operating Officer