The UK Statistics Authority wrote to the leaders of political parties in advance of the May 2026 elections

25 March 2026 · Penny Young Interim, Chair, UK Statistics Authority

The letter is dated 25 March 2026. The UK Statistics Authority published it as Letter to leaders of political parties in advance of the May 2026 elections. Below are 4 passages from the letter in the regulator's own words.

What the UK Statistics Authority wrote

“The Standards for the Public Use of Statistics, Data and Wider Analysis (within the Code of Practice for Statistics) set out the UK Statistics Authority’s expectations for how statistics, data and wider analysis should be used in the public domain.”

“They encourage that statistical claims are presented clearly and transparently so that the public can test the arguments that political candidates make.”

“This means not using numbers in a misleading way such as cherry-picking figures, taking figures out of context or placing undue certainty on them.”

“Statements should also refer only to statistics and data that are already in the public domain and not those to which governing ministers have privileged access.”

From Penny Young Interim, Chair, UK Statistics Authority, letter of 25 March 2026. Read the full letter.

Receipt