The Office for Statistics Regulation wrote to Simon Palmer about Police funding infographic for Beating Crime Plan

28 January 2022 · Ed Humpherson, Director General for Regulation, Office for Statistics Regulation

The letter is dated 28 January 2022. The Office for Statistics Regulation published it as Ed Humpherson to Simon Palmer: Police funding infographic for Beating Crime Plan. Below are 4 passages from the letter in the regulator's own words.

What the Office for Statistics Regulation wrote

“Given the potential to mislead, the tweet should be clearer that the data are in nominal terms, and therefore do not take account of the changing value of money over time.”

“While real terms figures would give a better sense of the increase felt by police forces, we recognise that real terms figures are not produced until July.”

“The development of the statistics around police funding were in direct response to previous concerns about such misleading language – see the letters from Sir David Norgrove to Louise Haigh MP and Sir David Norgrove to Dame Vera Baird QC.”

“As was the case in 2018 we recommend that the Home Office analysts engage with their communications colleagues about the need for clear public statements about police funding.”

From Ed Humpherson, Director General for Regulation, Office for Statistics Regulation, letter of 28 January 2022. Read the full letter.

Receipt