Guidance

Statistics revisions policy

Updated 28 April 2026

Introduction

All official statistics published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) are produced to the high professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Statistics.

This includes publishing revisions and corrections in official statistics transparently and as soon as possible, alongside a clear indication of the nature, scale and impact of the change (Code Standard 3.9).

This policy sets out the approach to DESNZ to three categories of revisions:

• scheduled revisions
• unscheduled revisions
• corrections of errors

The general approach is summarised below with more details on scheduled revisions for specific statistical series provided in Annex 1.

Unless otherwise stated below, DESNZ will indicate any revisions clearly, whenever data in publications have been revised from that initially published.

1. Scheduled revisions

Scheduled revisions are built into the defined methodology of some of our statistical series and occur as part of the normal release practice for these series including the Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES), greenhouse gas emission statistics and energy efficiency scheme statistics. Such revisions occur where initial or provisional estimates are released which are always subsequently revised or where regular seasonal adjustment, benchmarking or rebasing exercises take place.

Details on the reasons, timing and nature of the scheduled revisions applied to specific series are given in Annex 1.

2. Unscheduled revisions

Unscheduled revisions may occur where published series are subject to a “one-off” methodological change. This may happen when, for example, a data source or a methodology is improved and changes to historical numbers are significant enough that a revision of previously released tables is needed. Where feasible, users would be informed in advance of these changes. The nature and implications of any unscheduled revisions is made clear alongside the revised statistics.

3. Correction of errors

If an error is discovered, the process is different depending on whether it is a minor or major error.

Minor error

If it is minor and does not materially affect the data, particularly the headline messages, this will be corrected and data revised in the next scheduled release.

Major error

If it is major and does have a material impact that could affect decisions made based on the data, then an unscheduled correction will be made.

A corrected version of the publication will be released as soon as possible, together with an explanation of the reason for the change, being clear on the scale, nature, cause and impact. Depending on the timing and with agreement by the Head of Profession for Statistics, the statistics may be withdrawn or a warning may be placed online in advance of the corrected version being published.

Decisions relating to the dissemination of the announcement of any unscheduled corrections will be made by the relevant DESNZ statistician with agreement by the Head of Profession for Statistics. For example, they may alert key users.

Annex 1 – Scheduled revisions for individual statistical series

Many of our statistical series are routinely updated, mainly to reflect the latest data as it becomes available. The releases which are subject to scheduled revisions are described below.

DUKES

Typically, revisions to previous data will be scheduled to occur at the publication of DUKES in July and reflect updated data, methodological revisions and any corrections. The reasons for revisions, scale and impact will be set out in the release document.

Energy Trends

Typically, revisions will be made to previous data as per the timetable below. Revision triangles which set out the size of quarterly revisions in total energy are published.

Table 1: Energy Trends data revisions permissible by month of publication

Publication month	Data to be revised
January	October data of prior year
February	All data in prior year given first publication of provisional annual data
March	All quarterly data of previous 2 years, so that both levels and growth rates are as accurate as possible for the latest year
April	January data of current year
May	January and February data of current year
June	Q1 data of current year. Typically, all quarterly data of previous years are reconciled with any revised annual DUKES balances to ensure consistency between the two publications.
July	April data of current year
August	April and May data of current year
September	Q1 and Q2 data of current year
October	July data of current year
November	July and August data of current year
December	Q1, Q2 and Q3 data of current year

Note: Quarterly editions of Energy Trends are produced in March, June, September and December.

Energy prices

For domestic prices, provisional annual bills are published in December and revised annual bills are published in March. Non-domestic (including manufacturing) prices are published provisionally for each quarter and then revised the following quarter. Quarterly revisions may also be made when revised data is received from suppliers. International comparison tables are published in May, September and November. Further revisions can be incorporated up to the end of the following year for all data. Further information on revisions for specific tables can be found in the Quarterly Energy Prices report.

Energy Consumption in the UK (ECUK)

Historic consumption data are revised annually to align with DUKES. Any revisions due to methodology improvements will be clearly described in the publication.

Subnational consumption

For subnational electricity and gas consumption, the time series is revised each year back to 2015 to incorporate revisions to the National Statistics Postcode Lookup, updates to meter address information and to reflect any additional information gathered about meters.

For subnational consumption relating to road transport and residual fuels the time series is revised each year back to 2005 to take account of methodological improvements.

For subnational total final energy consumption, the time series is revised each year to reflect the revisions made to the above subnational publications.

Fuel poverty statistics

In the annual release, the figures for the headline year (y) are provisional and the figures for the previous year (y-1) are finalised. In addition, projected summary figures for the subsequent year (y+1) are given.

Greenhouse gas emissions statistics

Greenhouse gas emissions statistics (based on the Greenhouse Gas Inventory) are revised annually to incorporate new/revised data, methodological improvements and changes to international reporting guidelines. Revisions are applied across the whole time series to ensure the estimates remain on a consistent basis.

Provisional UK greenhouse gas emissions statistics are published annually (usually in March, y+1) to give an indication of emissions in the latest year, ahead of the next Greenhouse Gas Inventory. These are then superseded by final UK greenhouse gas emissions statistics (usually in February, y+2).

Energy efficiency and heating scheme statistics

DESNZ publishes monthly statistics on the uptake of various energy efficiency and heating schemes supported by the Department:

• Boiler Upgrade Scheme
• Heat Pump Deployment
• Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
• Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
• Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery (LAD) and Home Upgrade Grant (HUG)
• Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF)
• Warm Homes: Local Grant and Social Housing Fund

Historic figures in the releases are updated to reflect the latest information on the schemes as it becomes available. For example, changes may be made as more data is reported or to remove cases which are found to be ineligible.