RSSeNEWS to be determined...

The 2011 census is the subject of a special assessment by the UK Statistics Authority. The assessment is the first of a three-phase process and looks at how planning for the 2011 census conforms with the requirements of the authority’s code of practice.

Colette Bowe and Sir John Shortridge were appointed as non-executive members of the board of the UK Statistics Authority from 1 February. Until 2009, Sir John Shortridge was Permanent Secretary at the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills; Collette Bowe has been chairman of Ofcom since 2009 and was previously a member of the former Statistics Commission between 2000 and 2008. Lord Rowe-Beddoe and David Rhind were both reappointed as non-executive members for two years from the same date.

In March the Authority produced a summary of the strengths and weaknesses of statistics against its code of practice of the 27 assessments it had completed to date, covering 80 sets of statistics. Three broad areas were recommended for statistical producers to focus on in 2010-11. These encompass more systematic engagement with users (particularly those outside central government), improvements to the commentary and publication of a range of background documentation to support their statistics.

The chair of the Statistics Authority, Sir Michael Scholar, wrote to all three main party leaders about future policy for official statistics including the need to strengthen the arrangements for ensuring the independence and impartiality of statisticians in all government departments; details may be found on the Authority’s website.