The UK Statistics Authority wrote to Andrew Gwynne MP about DHSC chart on nurses’ pay

29 November 2022 · Sir Robert Chote, Chair, UK Statistics Authority

The letter, dated 29 November 2022, replies to correspondence of 18 November 2022. The UK Statistics Authority published it as Response from Sir Robert Chote to Andrew Gwynne MP – DHSC chart on nurses’ pay. Below are 4 passages from the letter in the regulator's own words.

What the UK Statistics Authority wrote

“It is perfectly reasonable to debate whether cash or real-terms figures are a more appropriate basis for comparison, and what time period and points in the pay bands should be used, but the chart is not in itself misleading in this regard.”

“The Office for Statistics Regulation – the regulatory arm of the UK Statistics Authority – has raised this issue with the department, which I gather intends to publish a blog explaining the basis for the figures used.”

“I agree that this is a poor and misleading representation of the underlying data that risks damaging public confidence in the presentation of official statistics by the department.”

“The shortcomings of this presentation underline how important it is that political and communications teams within departments consult and listen carefully to their Heads of Profession for Statistics before publishing high-profile numbers or data visualisations of this sort.”

From Sir Robert Chote, Chair, UK Statistics Authority, letter of 29 November 2022. Read the full letter.

Correspondence

• The letter it answered: Andrew Gwynne to Sir Robert Chote – DHSC chart on nurses’ pay (18 November 2022)

More on Andrew Gwynne.

Receipt