The UK Statistics Authority wrote to Sarah Olney MP about public sector debt

19 December 2023 · Sir Robert Chote, Chair, UK Statistics Authority

The letter, dated 19 December 2023, replies to correspondence of 24 November 2023. The UK Statistics Authority published it as Response from Sir Robert Chote to Sarah Olney MP – public sector debt; it links to 1 official record. Below are 4 passages from the letter in the regulator's own words.

What the UK Statistics Authority wrote

“As you note, the Prime Minister said that “debt is falling” in a video posted on social media following the King’s Speech on 7 November and that “we have indeed reduced debt” at Prime Minister’s Questions on 22 November, the day of the Autumn Statement.”

“This has clearly been a source of confusion and may have undermined trust in the Government’s use of statistics and quantitative analysis in this area.”

“So, when speaking about the public finances and making claims of this sort, intelligent transparency demands that ministers, other senior politicians, departments and political parties ask themselves how someone with an interest but little specialist knowledge is likely to interpret a particular claim and to explain themselves clearly if they choose to depart significantly from that in definitional terms.”

“The Office for Statistics Regulation will work with the Prime Minister’s office to ensure further statements on debt levels adhere to our guidance on intelligent transparency.”

From Sir Robert Chote, Chair, UK Statistics Authority, letter of 19 December 2023. Read the full letter.

Records the letter links to

• Prime Minister’s Questions on 22 November

Correspondence

• The letter it answered: Letter from Sarah Olney MP to Sir Robert Chote – public sector debt (24 November 2023)

Related key figures

• UK public sector net debt

More on Sarah Olney.

Receipt