“If we have selected you at random, we need you to fill in the survey to help the randomness do its work.” Jonathan Athow explains a principle that lies at the heart of good statistics.
Read more on The beauty of randomness
Jonathan Athow explains how ONS measures earnings and how there is no easy solution to calculating self-employed income just yet. …
Read more on Why is measuring self-employed income so hard?
With complex international trade negotiations in prospect for the UK, Jonathan Athow explains how ONS is addressing the asymmetries in global trade statistics.
Read more on Measuring trade – why does the world seem to import more than it exports?
Experimental statistics from ONS have suggested that only three UK regions generate more in taxes than they receive in public spending. The data has caused a stir in the media with headlines proclaiming that London and its surrounding regions are effectively ‘subsidising’ the rest . Jonathan Athow explains how the figures were calculated and how ONS is looking to develop and improve them.
Read more on The wealth of regions – measuring the UK’s tax and spending imbalance
Evidence suggests income inequality has been flat or falling in recent years. But that’s contrary to many people’s perceptions. So what’s going on here?
Read more on Inequality: are we measuring the right things?