The Royal Economic Society has joined the Royal Statistical Society, Sense about Science and the National Institute of Economic and Social Research in writing to Simon Hoare MP, Chair of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC).
Our joint letter sets out shared concerns about the need to maintain and strengthen the independence of the UK’s statistical system. It highlights the importance of ensuring that official statistics are produced free from political influence and that public trust in data is protected. The letter is in response to the PACAC’s ongoing inquiry into the work of the UK Statistics Authority.
An independent statistical system is recognised internationally as a core principle of good governance, with the UN Principles of Official Statistics stating that official data should serve all users equally. The letter urges PACAC to consider ways of improving accountability without undermining this independence.
RES President Prof Imran Rasul said: “As economists we rely on robust, impartial statistics to conduct research and advise policymakers. Protecting the independence of the UK’s statistical system is vital to maintaining trust and ensuring that economic decisions remain evidence-based.”