The Office for National Statistics published a code of practice for all government departments producing national statistics. The code is designed to ensure that the public can be confident that official statistics meet high quality standards and are 'independent, accessible and relevant'.
Source: The National Statistics Code of Practice - Statement of Principles, Office for National Statistics (0845 601 3034)
Links: Code of Practice (pdf) | Press release (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/1, Digest 121, paragraph 12.1
Date: 2002-Oct
A new researcher's guide to the National Statistics Socioeconomic Classification was published. NS-SEC replaced both previous government social classifications Social Class and Socio-economic Group in 2001.
Source: David Rose and David Pevalin (eds.), A Researcher's Guide to the National Statistics Socio-economic Classification, Sage Publications (020 7374 0645)
Links: ONS press release (pdf)
Date: 2002-Oct
The Statistics Commission issued a consultation document to help it identify the key issues to be addressed in its review of the need for statistics legislation in the United Kingdom.
Source: The Need for Statistics Legislation: Consultation document, Statistics Commission (020 7273 8001)
Links: Consultation Document (pdf) | Press release (pdf)
Date: 2002-Aug
The Statistics Commission concluded that a full review of the General Household Survey should be deferred until 2003, in order to take proper account of users experience of recent changes in publication arrangements.
Source: Does the GHS Now Meet User Needs?: Report of a scoping study, National Statistician Report 8, Statistics Commission (020 7273 8008)
Links: Statcom press release (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123, paragraph 12.2
Date: 2002-Jul
A committee of MPs recommended that future population censuses should be subject to a cost-benefit analysis before being undertaken. The government responded by proposing a radical overhaul of census methods.
Sources: The 2001 Census in England and Wales, First Report (Session 2001-02), HC 310, House of Commons Treasury Select Committee, TSO | Government Response to the Committee's First Report: The 2001 Census in England and Wales, Session 2001-02, Ninth Special Report (Session 2001-02), HC 852, House of Commons Treasury Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Committee report | Government response
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/1, Digest 121 (paragraph 12.1)
Date: 2002-May