Policy paper

Independent review of UK economic statistics: terms of reference

Updated 11 March 2016

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-review-of-uk-economic-statistics-terms-of-reference/independent-review-of-uk-economic-statistics-terms-of-reference

As announced in the Productivity Plan, with the support of the Chair of the UK Statistics Authority, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has commissioned Professor Sir Charles Bean to conduct an independent review of the quality, delivery and governance of UK economic statistics.

The terms of reference of the review are to:

  • assess the UK’s future statistics needs in particular relating to the challenges of measuring the modern economy;

  • assess the effectiveness of the ONS in delivering those statistics, including the extent to which the ONS makes use of relevant data and emerging data-science techniques

  • while fully protecting the independence of the UK national statistics, consider whether the current governance framework best supports the production of world-class economic statistics

The review will make interim recommendations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Minister for the Cabinet Office in the autumn, with a final report published by Budget 2016.

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