The Office for Statistics Regulation wrote to Stephen Balchin about publication of ad hoc statistics

21 September 2020 · Ed Humpherson, Director General for Regulation, Office for Statistics Regulation

The letter is dated 21 September 2020. The Office for Statistics Regulation published it as Ed Humpherson to Stephen Balchin: Publication of ad hoc statistics; it links to 1 official record. Below are 4 passages from the letter in the regulator's own words.

What the Office for Statistics Regulation wrote

“It is really positive that these data are now published – the publication of the data along with the basis for the calculation means the limitations are now clear and there is transparency around the figures.”

“We would like to see improvements to the data, responding to user needs.”

“More broadly, in May 2020 we published a statement outlining our expectations around the production and use of management information by government and other official bodies.”

“The statement highlights our view that when management information is used publicly to inform Parliament, the media and the public, it should be published in an accessible form, with appropriate explanations of context and sources.”

From Ed Humpherson, Director General for Regulation, Office for Statistics Regulation, letter of 21 September 2020. Read the full letter.

Records the letter links to

• Distance travelled for a coronavirus (COVID-19) test in England: 1 September to 14 September 2020

Receipt