Guidance

Revisions and Corrections Policy

Published 11 June 2026

This policy sets out the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s (DCMS) approach to revisions and corrections of official statistics, in line with the Code of Practice for Statistics.

Scheduled revisions

A scheduled revision will occur when we make a planned update to published statistics. This is different to correcting an error (below). Scheduled revisions may be because we receive new data which changes our understanding of previous time periods, or because of an improvement in statistical methodology. At a later scheduled date, as announced on the upcoming statistical release calendar on GOV.UK, the statistics will be revised and reissued. This will often, but not necessarily always, be as part of a future publication in the same series. 

When we publish data that we expect to be later revised, we will be transparent that it is provisional. When data is provisional, we will explain why that is the case and when users can expect revised data. When we revise data, we will explain why data has been revised and the impact of the revisions.

All administrative and non-administrative data can be updated when new information becomes available that relates to a period already published. Each relevant publication will set out how publications will be revised in these circumstances. Revisions would normally be made in the next planned publication following receipt of any further data.

In tables, statistics published as provisional will be clearly marked as provisional, for example, using a [p] and include information on the reasons why the data is provisional. Once data has been revised, it will be marked, for example with an [r] in the first edition after revision. Information on the reasons why the data has been revised will be provided.

Corrections

All official statistics are produced in line with the Code of Practice for Statistics, with procedures that reduce the risk of error. DCMS prioritises a quality culture that promotes good practice and encourages learning and improvement, under the direction of the Chief Statistician. When we make mistakes, we are transparent about them and learn from them. For some releases, we may include a ‘corrections’ tab in the data tables to help users keep track of historical corrections. 

Corrections to statistics will be made if errors are found.

Where an error has been found, the Chief Statistician will assess the scale and impact of the error which will inform the actions we take. 

Substantial errors will be corrected as soon as possible by reissuing the statistics with the corrected figures. In such circumstances key users and/or ministers may be alerted. If an error is identified but corrected figures are not yet available due to a need for further investigation, a note will be added to the statistics to explain the situation, making it clear the figures are subject to change.

Minor errors may be corrected in slower time as appropriate (always within 12 months). We may make these corrections with the next  edition of a relevant statistical product.

In cases where errors are found in time series that appear in more than one edition, the errors will be corrected in the most recent edition only. Older editions will not usually be corrected.

In tables, corrections are shown by the addition of an [r] next to figures that have been corrected. This will be accompanied by a note explaining the reason for and the scale of the correction. Corrections will only be marked in the first edition of each publication that the corrected figures appear in. If the figures then appear again in future editions they will not be marked as corrected.

The report and tables will state when the data was first published and when it was revised.

In cases where errors are corrected in cumulative spreadsheets, that is, where the latest data is added to a spreadsheet, which then replaces the previous edition on GOV.UK:

• in the first edition after revision, corrections will be shown, for example by the addition of an [r] next to figures that have been corrected. This will be  accompanied by a note explaining the reason for and the scale of the correction
• in subsequent editions, the ‘r’ marker and original note will be removed from the spreadsheet and replaced by a note explaining what was revised, the reason for and scale of the correction
• the old uncorrected publication will be removed but will be be filed and available on request

For all corrections, steps will be taken to determine what corrective  actions/training/communications are needed to prevent similar errors from occurring in the future. The emphasis is on learning from mistakes and improvement