Guidance

FCDO statistics: statement on release practice policy

Updated 6 November 2026

Purpose

This document sets out the FCDO’s policy on the release of statistics. All FCDO official statistics comply with the Code of Practice for Statistics recognising that:

• statistics should be released in a transparent way, at a standard time (usually 9.30am), and pre-announce the date and timing of the release so that the public can have confidence in how and when the statistics are released
• before public release, access should be limited to those involved in the production of the statistics and the preparation of the output, and for quality assurance and operational purposes
• statistics should be released on a timely basis, meeting the needs of users as far as possible and as soon as the statistics are ready, under the guidance of the Chief Statistician/Head of Profession for Statistics

FCDO also publishes statistics that are registered under the Office for Statistics Regulation’s TQV Voluntary Application of the Code. These publications demonstrate a commitment to trustworthiness, quality and value and aim to follow the release practice policy set out here.

Pre-announcement of statistical releases

We aim to provide a publication date for official statistics 3 months in advance and a specific date and time at least four weeks before release.

In exceptional circumstances, we may need to cancel or postpone a statistical release. In such cases:

• we provide as much notice as possible via the publications calendar and direct communication with registered users
• we explain the reasons for the change
• we indicate when the statistics are expected to be published

Pre-release access

FCDO official statistics comply with the principles set out in the Pre-release access to Official Statistics Order 2008. Pre-release access refers to privileged access to statistical releases in their final form, before they are made available in the public domain.

Key features of this legislation are that:

• pre-release access is granted to named individuals only where necessary for a reason specified in legislation, such as to enable Ministers and their advisers to comment publicly on statistics based on a correct understanding
• statistics producers are required to maintain a list of all individuals granted pre-release access

The Chief Statistician/Head of Profession for Statistics oversees pre-release access arrangements.

Pre-release access does not refer to staff who:

• produce and disseminate the statistics – including for those overseeing this process.
• are asked to quality assure the statistics before their public release

Ministers’ and officials’ access to the FCDO’s own administrative and management data are not included in the remit of the Pre-Release Access to Official Statistics Order and therefore excluded from pre-release access arrangements.

FCDO publishes a pre-release access list alongside our official statistics publications where this applies. This list contains the job titles of all individuals who have been granted pre-release access to the statistics, along with the organisation to which they belong.

Pre-release access to FCDO’s official statistics is restricted to a maximum of 24 hours prior to the publication time of 09:30am.

In exceptional circumstances, and in accordance with Principle 5 of the Pre-Release Access to Official Statistics Order, the Chief Statistician/Head of Profession for Statistics may allow access to a limited number of individuals in a limited number of special circumstances, for more than 24 hours ahead of release. For example:

• access may be given to the compilers of complementary reports due to be published at the same time as, or shortly after, the statistics so they can incorporate the latest available figures. Such access may be for longer than 24 hours
• international organisations may require access in order to compile supra-national statistics

The Chief Statistician/Head of Profession for Statistics, may also grant pre-release access for more than 24 hours before public release if, in their opinion, the public benefit outweighs the possible detriment to public trust. Should this happen, the Chief Statistician/Head of Profession for Statistics will publish the reasons for granting extended access and will inform the Chair of the UK Statistics Authority, the National Statistician and the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR), ahead of publication.

Breach of the conditions

In the event of a significant breach of the principles set out in this statement, the Chief Statistician/Head of Profession for Statistics will follow the guidance on Reporting concerns under the Code of Practice for Statistics by notifying the Chair of the UK Statistics Authority, the National Statistician and the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR), in line with the Code. Remedial actions will also be taken to prevent any recurrence of such breaches.

Where the Chief Statistician/Head of Profession considers that a breach was minor, with no resulting damage to the integrity of the statistics involved, they will decide the best approach to dealing with the breach.

Sanctions against non-compliance

The Chief Statistician/Head of Profession for Statistics may, permanently or temporarily, withdraw pre-release access from any individual judged to have breached the conditions of their access.

A heavier sanction may be imposed by the UK Statistics Authority, which has a statutory duty to assess the extent to which any organisation’s accredited official statistics comply with the Pre-Release Access to Official Statistics Order, and the duties within it.

The UK Statistics Authority can, for instance, challenge an organisation where it considers that pre-release access is not justified or where an organisation is failing to follow these arrangements. It can also withdraw national statistics accreditation of official statistics and use its right to report any breach to Parliament.

Follow up

Our statistical practice is regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR).

You are welcome to contact us directly by emailing CentralStatsHub@fcdo.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can email OSR on regulation@statistics.gov.uk or contact them via the OSR website.