The ONS has published updated, indicative, estimates for how much the economy shrank in 2020, when COVID-19 first hit. These numbers look a little different to our earlier takes on this challenging period. Craig McLaren explains what’s changed and why.
Read more on Updating our estimates of the pandemic’s effects on the UK’s economy – the new ONS estimates explained
At a time of exponential growth in data of all kinds, the potential for data science to improve public services and achieve better health outcomes has never been greater. But we also have a responsibility to ensure that those data are used ethically and protect individual privacy. Starting with the UK parliament’s objective for the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to produce and publish statistics for the public good, the latest episode of ‘Statistically Speaking’ explores how this is being delivered in practice, while looking at the safeguards in place to protect personal data, and the public’s changing perception of acceptable data use.
Read more on The importance of ethics and privacy in producing statistics for the public good
The ONS mission to better inform understanding of economic, environmental and social progress more broadly than can be captured purely in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has taken another step forward. Under the banner ‘Quality of life in the UK’ we have begun publishing fresh estimates of national well-being alongside the latest monthly and quarterly estimates of GDP. Combined with the recently-added Climate Change Insights publication, this quarterly package aims to offer a more holistic view of our economic, environmental and social progress. Liz McKeown unveils the new ‘GDP& Beyond’ day and invites stats users to get involved in its continuing development.
Read more on Measuring Progress: GDP & Beyond
This seems a simple and reasonable query to put to the ONS and, after the record heatwave in July, it…
Read more on How many people died in the UK’s recent heatwave? From “The Great Resignation” to the gender pay gap, how should the employment figures we hear so much about really…
Read more on Labour & Wages: The tracking of employment and pay across the UK
