FOI Ref: FOI/2021/2762
You asked
Please supply an update to the following publication with the figures for 2020:
We said
Thank you for your enquiry.
We are currently in the process of updating the following publication on Deaths registered by area of usual residence, UK for 2020. We have experienced some delays in receiving the data we need to compile figures for the whole of the UK. A publication date hasn't been confirmed yet, but when it is finalised it will be announced via our Release Calendar. If you wish to receive email updates, you can subscribe here.
As such, the information you have requested is considered exempt under Section 22(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, whereby information is exempt from release if there is a view to publish the information in the future. Furthermore, as a central government department and producer of official statistics, we need to have the freedom to be able to determine our own publication timetables. This is to allow us to deal with the necessary preparation, administration and context of publications. It would be unreasonable to consider disclosure when to do so would undermine our functions.
This exemption is subject to a public interest test. We recognise the desirability of information being freely available and this is considered by ONS when publication schedules are set in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics. The need for timely data must be balanced against the practicalities of applying statistical skill and judgement to produce the high quality, assured data needed to inform decision-making. If this balance is incorrectly applied, then we run the risk of decisions being based on inaccurate data which is arguably not in the public interest. This will have an impact on public trust in official statistics in a time when accuracy of official statistics is more important to the public than ever before.
Data for England and Wales for 2020 are published in our Deaths Registered Series.
If you have any further questions about this information, please contact health.data@ons.gov.uk.