FOI Ref: FOI/2022/3999
You asked
1) Dear UK Statistics Authority,
Sir David Norgrove (in the IfG event of 7 March) said that ONS has "several hundred user groups" and "8 or 9 that focus on major areas of statistics". Can you please list them, indicating which are the "8 or 9", providing links where possible? Please include any that might be defined as UKSA or GSS user groups.
2) Dear UK Statistics Authority,
Sir David Norgrove (in the IfG event of 7 March) essentially said that horizon scanning was mainly done by talking, listening and thinking. Can you please point me to the formal description of how horizon scanning is done across the GSS and provide links to the reports from ONS, UKSA and the rest of the GSS that list the resulting studies?
We said
Thank you for your requests.
Request One:
Frequent interaction with the users of our statistics is a core part of our work and ranges from discussions on single issues or surveys, to broader topics and themes. This engagement takes many forms, including: Advisory Committees and Panels, steering groups, working groups through to more ad-hoc sessions. We do not maintain a central list of all of these interactions within the communication division. Therefore, we do not hold the information requested.
With regards to the 8 or 9 groups that focus on major areas of statistics, this may refer to the Advisory Committees and Panels.
Request Two:
Horizon scanning is a routine item of business in any governance structure, and any committee within the Authority, ONS and the GSS may consider future trends as part of their work. Therefore, we do not hold a single "formal description of how horizon scanning is done" as requested, nor an exhaustive list of reports.
Horizon scanning for cross-cutting statistical work is in part provided by the Analysis and Evaluation sub-committee of the National Statistics Executive Group. This committee provides strategic direction to cross-cutting analysis and undertakes horizon scanning to determine future analytical needs. This work is facilitated by ONS, synthesising criteria of urgency, potential impact, and existing evidence gaps with stakeholders and is carried out in collaboration with wider-government statisticians, then assured by the Analysis and Evaluation sub-committee which comprises cross-Government and analytical profession membership. Horizon scanning is undertaken on a regular basis and assured on a case-by-case basis with the results informing ONS business planning and future analytical work. Such an example is The cost of living, current and upcoming work: March 2022 analytical statement published to promote transparency and seek feedback from users. We are currently building up our portfolio of published workplans. Alongside the Cost of Living Statement, we have also published others on Green jobs and on COVID-19.
Please see our Release calendar for updates on future publications.