Guidance

Statement of Code Compliance

Published 11 June 2026

This statement sets out how the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) complies with the core principles of the Code of Practice for Statistics (‘the Code’). DCMS is committed to the principles underlying the Code, so that users can have confidence that we are dedicated to delivering the best possible outputs.  This statement will be reviewed regularly to ensure it is up to date and relevant. 

The Code of Practice for Statistics is based on three core principles:

• Trustworthiness - building confidence in the people and organisations that produce statistics and data
• Quality - using suitable data and methods that produce assured statistics
• Value - producing statistics that support society’s needs for information

Trustworthiness

Building confidence in the people and organisations that produce statistics and data

Show Integrity - All DCMS official statistics are prepared by or overseen by professional DCMS statisticians and analysts, who are accountable to the DCMS Chief Statistician. Statistics are presented impartially and objectively. 

Lead Responsibly - The Chief Statistician (and Head of Profession for Statistics) ensures that the Code of Practice for Statistics is implemented across DCMS. Their role includes providing wider leadership to the statistical community, developing statistical competence across the department and promoting continual improvement in publication. All DCMS statistical outputs are produced impartially, and are signed off by the DCMS Chief Statistician. The content and timing of each statistical release is determined by the Chief Statistician, impartially and in line with user needs. Revisions are signed off by the Chief Statistician and updated in line with our Revisions Policy. Across the department, and wider analysis, DCMS promotes wide use of the Code, for example by providing regular training on working with statistics, to ensure data and statistics are managed and used appropriately.

Be Transparent - All statistical releases and accompanying documentation are published on GOV.UK. A full 12-month release calendar with pre-announced provisional and confirmed publication dates is updated at least once each month. Statistics publications are published at 9.30am on the day of release, and each release is accompanied by a published pre-release access list. DCMS’ release practices are set out in our Release Practice Policy, which is designed to promote transparency. 

Manage Data Responsibly - At DCMS we have processes in place to ensure that data is collected, accessed and shared in accordance with data management policies. Any personal, commercial and sensitive data is handled appropriately and we work closely with our Data Protection and Digital, Data and Technology teams to ensure best practice is followed. DCMS’ approach to managing data will be detailed in our Data Management Policy. For information on what you can expect from DCMS when we collect, hold or use your personal information, please see the Department’s Personal Information Charter.

Quality

Prioritise Quality - Our Quality Management Approach will set out how we prioritise and assure the quality of our statistics. We continually encourage learning and improvement to support a quality culture, and ensure that clear quality assurance and sign-off processes are in place for all statistical releases. We work closely with data suppliers to ensure there is a common understanding of why quality matters.

Be Rigorous - Our statistics and data sources are regularly reviewed to ensure they meet the quality standards expected. Where possible, we follow national and international good practice, standards and classifications to ensure statistics are high quality and provide public value. Where there might be a quality concern, we investigate this in a timely manner and communicate this to users. 

Be Open About Quality - Information on quality is published alongside each official statistics release. This often includes detailed information on data sources, collection and methodology information and potential bias or quality implications. Statistics are appropriately badged according to their quality level, with clear communication where statistics are being developed and tested. Any revisions due to errors are amended in a timely manner and clearly highlighted and explained to users.

Value

Be Relevant - We have a dedicated mailbox for user enquiries and we ensure we regularly review feedback from users. We work closely with a range of users, including policy colleagues, public bodies, academics and businesses to ensure our statistics are fit for purpose. Any updates to statistics are reported annually in our statistics workplan, where users are also invited to feedback. Our approach to engaging with external users will be set out in our Public Involvement and Engagement Strategy. 

Be Clear - we aim to release relevant and clear statistics and data on a range of topics related to the DCMS sectors. Some statistics releases are accompanied by a report, summarising the main messages, via commentary and charts and visualisations. We collaborate with subject matter experts and work with other statistics producers, such as ONS, MHCLG and DfE to promote coherence wherever possible. 

Be Accessible - DCMS provides free and equal access to regular and ad hoc published statistics. Our statistics, data and related guidance are all easy to access and published in accessible formats, following the web-accessibility guidelines and Analysis Function guidance. We are committed to providing data at the greatest level of detail practical, including publishing sub-national breakdowns where possible, in line with user requirements. Microdata from our large surveys are available through the UK Data Service. We do not charge for any supplementary statistical services. 

Feedback

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

OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to.

You are welcome to contact us directly with any comments about how we meet these standards, by emailing evidence@dcms.gov.uk.  

Alternatively, you can contact OSR by emailing regulation@statistics.gov.uk or via the OSR website.

A list of the official statistics published in the UK is available from www.gov.uk/government/statistics.