One population – five billion statistics

Categories: Census, ONS
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One year on from Census Day, and the most comprehensive quality assurance ever of census data in England and Wales is underway. This is to ensure the Office for National Statistics produces the best possible information for every local area. Here Pete Benton describes the scale of the work, puts a figure on the number of statistics he estimates will be published – and even admits to getting a reminder letter during his own data collection operation. 

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Putting a number on our nation’s health

Categories: Data
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The Office for National Statistics has set out to create a data set that allows us to track, understand and measure key themes to give us an overall picture of the nation’s health – just as GDP is used to understand the strength of our nation’s finances. As we publish our experimental statistics up to 2019, Greg Ceely explains the significance of this work and what our data show.

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The over-50s and the world of work: what’s happening and why?

Categories: Economy

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had huge impacts on all aspects of life in the UK, including the world of work. Initially younger workers were the hardest hit, but as restrictions eased, a new picture has emerged – the apparent disengagement of many older workers. Hugh Stickland looks at the work the Office for National Statistics has been doing to help understand some of the factors underlying this.

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Understanding the latest changes to UK trade figures with the EU

Categories: Economy, ONS

The official trade figures for January 2022 show that the UK imported £24.1 billion of goods from the European Union and exported £11.6 billion in return. However, in understanding those figures, it’s important that users are aware of some changes to the way HM Revenue and Customs collect trade data. One effect of the developments in today’s release is significantly to reduce the January figure for UK exports to the EU. Matt Hughes explains the changes.

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