Surveys

Making progress on improving UK economic statistics

James Benford is Director-General for Surveys and Economic and Social Statistics at the Office for National Statistics.
Categories: Economy, Labour Market, ONS, Surveys

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has today published its second progress update on its Economic Statistics Plan (ESP) and Survey Improvement and Enhancement Plan (SIEP). The two plans were launched in June 2025 to improve the quality and long-term sustainability of the UK’s core economic statistics. James Benford reflects on a period of continuing tangible improvements, the challenges we have encountered and how we are responding across the breadth of work. 

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Separating fact from fiction: how the ‘industry’ of survey collection is far more than a BBC plot device

Categories: Office for National Statistics, ONS, Surveys
man with clipboard

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.

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