This week we’ve published a new tool which aims to bring together health statistics from across government in one place. Covering a wide range of topics from alcohol to dementia, the tool aims to make it easier for anyone to find the information they need on health in England. Theodore Joloza explains how this tool came about and why it is important.
Read more on Making health statistics more easily accessible
New exploratory ONS research using Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) data shows that average energy bills for existing houses in England and in Wales were estimated to be more than twice those of new houses – and only in London are the majority of new homes being built without mains gas central heating. Here Debra Prestwood puts our new analysis into context and explains why it’s important.
Read more on How energy efficiency data can help reduce our carbon footprint
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on the retail sector with many stores forced to close at the height of lockdown. During that time consumers switched their spending to online. As Rhys Dalgleish explains, since many shops have now reopened, the shift back to in store purchasing has begun but a far higher proportion remains online than before the crisis.
Read more on How the COVID-19 Pandemic has accelerated the shift to online spending
House prices and the state of the property market are an abiding national obsession. How much is my place worth, are prices rising around here and can I afford to buy yet? The coronavirus pandemic has made the task of collecting data about the housing and rental markets more challenging, but the ONS and others have continued to produce figures. Here Chris Jenkins looks what they say about the state of the property market in pandemic so far.
Read more on Measuring the UK housing market?
Every year, organisations and communities come together on World Suicide Prevention Day to raise awareness of how we can create a society where fewer people reach the point where they feel suicide is their only option. Ben Windsor-Shellard from the ONS, along with Magdalena Tomaszewska and Mette Isaksen from Samaritans, reflect on the latest suicide figures and analysis of suicide rates by local area deprivation.
Read more on How does living in a more deprived area influence rates of suicide?