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7 June 2000
FRAMEWORK FOR NATIONAL STATISTICS PUBLISHED
Health, education and crime statistics are amongst the wide-ranging data to be included in National Statistics, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Melanie Johnson confirmed today.
The scope for National Statistics is published today alongside the Framework for National Statistics which clearly sets down the aims, roles and responsibilities of its key players: ministers, the National Statistician and the 'watchdog' body - the Statistics Commission.
Commenting on the Framework for National Statistics, Miss Johnson said:
"This Government has embarked upon the biggest overhaul of official statistics in over 30 years to ensure that the quality, integrity and relevance of official statistics is improved.
"That's why I am especially delighted to publish the Framework for National Statistics today - it completes the process and confirms the Government's determination to have official statistics that are trustworthy, user-focussed and reliable.
"The document sets out the key objectives and functions of National Statistics and brings together the full roles and responsibilities of ministers, the National Statistician and the Statistics Commission in order that the public can clearly see where responsibilities lie, and the interactions between those responsibilities."
The framework document also clarifies arrangements for the official statistics of the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. A Memorandum of Understanding signed by the devolved administration agrees a common approach, their statistics will therefore fall under the umbrella of National Statistics.
National Statistics' scope will also include data on social welfare, transport, housing, agriculture, environmental statistics; as well as economic, labour market, demographic and other statistics currently published by the Office for National Statistics.
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Framework for National Statistics can be seen by clicking on the link below. National Statistics is officially launched today, for more information contact the ONS Press Office on 020 7533 5725 or 5702 or see the new National Statistics website - link below. The Government's White Paper Building Trust in Statistics was published on 18 October 1999 The appointment of the National Statistician Mr Len Cook was announced on 17 February 2000 (see HMT PN 20/00). Sir John Kingman was appointed as Chairman of the Statistics Commission on 29 March 2000 (see HMT PN 42/00).
The appointment of seven members to the Statistics Commission was announced today (see HMT PN 74/00).