The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has today announced the consortium of leading economic institutions that will form the Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence. Economists from King’s College London, LSE, Nesta, NIESR, University of Cambridge, Stanford University, Strathclyde Business School, and Warwick Business School will deliver the Centre. It will be based at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR).

The Centre will help ONS answer important questions such as how best to measure emerging forms of economic activity in a globalised world and provide insight into the "productivity puzzle". It will start work in January 2017.

Commenting on today’s announcement, ONS Director General of Economic Statistics, Jonathan Athow said: “Today’s announcement is an important step in the transformation of UK economic statistics. The expertise to which we will have access via the new Centre will be vital in helping to meet the challenges of accurately measuring the modern economy.”

In February 2017 an international conference at Newport in Wales will bring together respected economists from around the world. The gathering will play an important role in shaping the direction and priorities for the new Centre.

NIESR Director, Jagjit Chadha said: “It is an incredible privilege for Britain’s oldest research institute to be asked to host this Centre for the ONS and we are delighted to be an integral part of this push towards national statistical excellence.”

Background Notes

  1. More information on the Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence can be found on the ONS website.

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