National Statistical

Tina Thomas, Deputy Director for Social Survey Field Collection, explains how a compelling BBC plot device does not reflect how ONS surveys operate in real life, and reminds us of how our interviewers are at the heart of what we do.

If you’ve been glued to this season of the BBC’s high finance drama Industry, you may have noticed an ONS ‘cameo’. But unlike me, you probably didn’t experience a moment of panic as you witnessed the scene in question where two of the characters pretend to be members of our trusted field interviewer staff to gain entry to someone’s home and collect intel.

Imagine my shock as our trusted survey work became part of some dodgy dealings in a drama that states “everyone is collateral”. My nerves certainly were!

Unfortunately, in line with global trends, we have seen a sharp decline in survey response rates in recent years, in part due to heightened fears over fraud of the very kind depicted in Industry, so it’s important to put the record straight and separate fact from fiction.

In real life 

In reality, survey collection for official statistics has no overlap with the backstabbing and high-pressure world of Industry, and there are many processes in place for people to ensure they are taking part in an official and secure survey.

That’s not to say field interviewing doesn’t have its exciting moments though. As a role where you meet and interview all kinds of people, no one day is the same, but every day involves ensuring data is collected correctly and securely.

Tried and tested methods

It’s actually very easy to carry out checks if you’re worried about the authenticity of a field interviewer visit. All ONS interviewer staff have a government-issued ID that survey respondents can verify via our Survey Enquiry Line, which is listed on our website alongside other information about the survey process.

If you’re one of the people we’ll be looking to speak to, you’ll also get advanced notice – we send a letter to survey respondents ahead of our interviewers visiting.

And while our interviewers are free to choose their own work attire, it’s unlikely they’ll turn up on your doorstep, as the imposters do in Industry, looking like a flight attendant!

At the heart of what we do 

Despite the challenges faced in the field, our interviewers persist — rain or shine, wherever they are based — because they know the power and purpose behind every conversation.

And this is why it’s so important for us to make this distinction between the fiction of Industry and the reality of what we do. Our field interviewers are integral to the collection of all kinds of data that give us immense and uniquely valuable insights into the lives of people up and down the country.

From allowing us to understand things like employment levels, the impact of cost-of-living changes, and the health of both our population and economy, to providing us with the vital evidence that impacts decisions like mortgage rates and rent prices, all of these data are vital and allow decision-makers to set polices that affect us all.

Looking to the future 

To ensure our surveys remain robust, representative, and fit for the future, we recently launched a Survey Improvement and Enhancement Plan which outlines a clear and ambitious roadmap to address survey collection barriers head-on.

But while our improvement plan focuses on systems and methodologies, we mustn’t forget that at the heart of our data collection efforts are the hundreds of dedicated ONS interviewers who speak directly with people across the country. From doorsteps to departure gates, and over the phone, these skilled professionals collect vital data that helps us build an accurate picture of life in the UK, and they won’t make a drama out of it!