The Office for Statistics Regulation wrote to Laura Gilbert about use of official statistics on child poverty in Prime Minister’s Questions

29 June 2021 · Ed Humpherson, Director General for Regulation, Office for Statistics Regulation

The letter is dated 29 June 2021. The Office for Statistics Regulation published it as Ed Humpherson to Laura Gilbert: Use of official statistics on child poverty in Prime Minister’s Questions. Below are 4 passages from the letter in the regulator's own words.

What the Office for Statistics Regulation wrote

“Further concerns were raised to us following Prime Minister’s Questions on 26 May, where the Prime Minister said that “We are also seeing fewer households now with children in poverty than 10 years ago.””

“As the Office for Statistics Regulation highlighted last year in a blog and more recently in our review of income-based poverty statistics, measuring poverty is complicated and different measures tell different parts of the story.”

“However, it would help aid public understanding if statements concerning child poverty were clear about which measure is being referred to, particularly where other measures present a different trend.”

“We are pleased to see some improvement in the way official statistics on child poverty are referred to in these statements.”

From Ed Humpherson, Director General for Regulation, Office for Statistics Regulation, letter of 29 June 2021. Read the full letter.

Receipt