National Statistical

The picture the Office for National Statistics (ONS) paints of how the economy is faring would not be possible without businesses supplying their data to us. James Benford describes the key themes of a recent exercise to better understand the needs and experience of businesses as both contributors and users of ONS data. 

Building momentum to deliver further improvements to the quality of our core statistics is the big focus for the Office for National Statistics as we enter the new year. ONS Director General of Surveys and Economic Statistics James Benford looks ahead to some of the planned changes that are due to be rolled out this year to improve the quality of key economic statistics.  

Public Sector Finance estimates are fed by data sources outside the ONS and when one is miscalculated, it affects the overall picture. Here, James Benford talks through the correction published today following HM Revenue & Customs’ identified error, and the steps being taken to improve the sources that feed these important statistics. 

The ONS’s new Director-General for Surveys and Economic and Social Statistics, James Benford, talks through work going on beyond the scenes to improve our statistics after a week with several major releases on the UK economy.