Too often we see that data security does not receive the attention it deserves until there is a crisis. At the ONS we are working all year round to ensure the nation’s data is kept safely. In this blog, Alison Pritchard, recaps how the ONS’ security has been able to adapt and improve during the pandemic.
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Other issues may have dominated the headlines but 2020 was an important year for UK housing and homelessness statistics. Despite challenging circumstances, the Government Statistical Service and its partners have brought fresh insight to key areas. Here Tony Wilkins outlines recent progress and plans for the future.
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Many of the challenges caused by the pandemic are only answerable with robust and timely data. The Office for National Statistics has supported those taking on apprenticeships in areas like data science, analytics and economics throughout the pandemic to help equip the UK with these much-needed skills. As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week Alex Lardner explains why apprenticeships are so valuable to the ONS and the country as a whole.
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Currently, the data on people who self-fund their care is limited. With differences in how data is collected in local authorities and by care providers, there is a significant gap in understanding how care is funded and the impact that has on the adult social care sector. Evie Brown from the ONS, along with Josefine Magnusson from Future Care Capital (FCC), explain how we’re working together to help fill this evidence gap.
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Measuring the full economic impact of Covid-19 is a key challenge for the ONS. Some have questioned why the decline we’ve identified in UK GDP is greater than that being reported by other G7economies. Rob Kent-Smith explains the differing trends and measurement practices that have led to this apparent gap.
Read more on Minding the Gap: Why has UK GDP fallen so sharply in the pandemic?