While other countries have seen similar slowdowns, the dip in UK productivity growth has been deeper and more persistent. In a special article for The Spectator, Richard Heys examines the puzzle and explains the work going on to improve productivity measurement at ONS.
Read more on The productivity puzzle – “The key economic issue of our age.”
The monthly UK consumer prices release is one of our most closely-watched outputs. Not least by the Governor of the Bank of England who must explain to the Chancellor when inflation misses its target. Now the long history of UK prices measurement is the subject of a new book charting the development of its complex methodologies and the people and institutions behind them. As co-author and ONS Methodologist Dr Jeff Ralph explains, it all began with a handful of pioneers and visionaries.
Read more on The inflation story – history of prices measurement told for the first time in new book
The Office for National Statistics is poised to start using VAT data from thousands of firms to produce its estimates of GDP. Chief Economist Nick Vaughan explains how this innovation will provide a much clearer view of economic performance by sector and area.
Read more on New data will give ONS a uniquely detailed view of the UK economy
As ONS updates its ‘Flow of Funds’ statistics, Richard Campbell explains how new these new data are helping policy makers to see the build up of risks in the financial system.
Read more on Thinking in multiple dimensions – The challenge of understanding ‘Flow of Funds’
What do Beyoncé, Leonardo DiCaprio, Stephen Hawking and Ed Sheeran have in common? They are all supporting the Sustainable Development Goals. Glenn Everett explains how these goals were developed and ONS plans for monitoring the UK’s contribution towards them.
Read more on What are the Sustainable Development Goals?