The Office for Statistics Regulation wrote to Roger Halliday about use of COVID-19 prevalence rates by Scottish Government

30 July 2020 · Ed Humpherson, Director General for Regulation, Office for Statistics Regulation

The letter, dated 30 July 2020, replies to correspondence of 30 July 2020. The Office for Statistics Regulation published it as Ed Humpherson to Roger Halliday: Use of COVID-19 prevalence rates by Scottish Government; it links to 3 official records. Below are 4 passages from the letter in the regulator's own words.

What the Office for Statistics Regulation wrote

“The UK estimate for the dates in question was not published and was provided to you to allow for this comparison.”

“We expect that any figures used are appropriately sourced, explained and available in the public domain.”

“When unpublished figures are quoted in the public domain, we expect that this information is shared with the media and the public in a way that promotes transparency and clarity.”

“In future if such comparisons are made, we would expect to see sources made publicly available and a clear explanation of the limitations and associated uncertainty.”

From Ed Humpherson, Director General for Regulation, Office for Statistics Regulation, letter of 30 July 2020. Read the full letter.

Records the letter links to

• COVID-19 speech, (gov.scot)
• Scotland’s COVID-19: modelling the epidemic (issue no.6) 25 June
• COVID-19 Infection Survey pilot: 25 June

Correspondence

• The letter it answered: Miles Briggs MSP to Sir David Norgrove – Use of COVID-19 prevalence statistics by Scottish Government (30 July 2020)

Receipt