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Indicators of progress: Definitions, data, baseline and trends information
Introduction
This is the third year in which the separate technical report has been produced alongside the Social Justice Annual Report. The technical report provides an impartial assessment of progress across the milestones using the most up to date information available at the time of compilation. The statistics are brought together from a range of sources by Scottish Executive statisticians, who ensure that the data are relevant, fit for purpose and of high quality. The information is presented in a manner that is accessible to users and where data quality and availability allows, information is disaggregated by geographic and population cohorts.
It is worthy of note however, that the 2001 population estimates, based on the 2001 Census are some 50,400 less than the previously published mid-year estimates. As a result the General Register Office for Scotland (GROS) will be revising the population series covering the period 1982-2000. Revisions are being made back to 1982 because it is now evident that the adjustments made for underenumeration in the 1991 Census need to be revisited. Where indicators use previously published population estimates as the denominator it is expected that these will need to be revised after GROS makes its revised series available in February 2003. Over _ of the milestones will be unaffected by the population revisions, and for a number of others the affect will be restricted to individual indicators. It is not possible at this time, for this report to quantify the effect of these population changes. It is however expected that general trends are unlikely to be affected.
The Social Justice programme has set 10 long term targets focusing on Children, Young People, Families, Older People and Communities. Within these targets, 29 milestones have been set which will enable developments over the shorter term to be measured and enable progress against the targets to be assessed. Statistical information plays a key role in assessing progress. The ability to quantify the current situation, measure change over time and to assess the impact of interventions is vital to all involved in policy development and service delivery.
The Scottish Executive statistics group has worked to develop new data sources and improve the availability of headline and disaggregated data. Considerable improvements in the range and depth of data has been achieved over the last couple of years through increasing data collection, linking data sources, and improving analysis. There are however still a small number of gaps where data has not yet become available. In all cases work is being taken forward to provide the required data. Initiatives such as the Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics project, the Equality Strategy and improved urban and rural data have and will continue to ensure that relevant and timely data at a headline and disaggregated level will remain a priority for the Scottish Executive. This will have clear benefits for both the Social Justice milestones and the wider Social Justice agenda.
In line with the drive for greater partnership between the Scottish Executive and the many users and providers of statistics you are invited to forward comments on any aspects of this report. This could range from comments about the publication such as availability of data, interpretation of progress and disaggregation of Scottish level information, to the highlighting of projects and analyses which you feel could inform the Social Justice agenda. Please contact Pete Whitehouse at the following address
Pete Whitehouse
Senior Statistician
Central Statistics Unit
4 - ER
Scottish Executive
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
e-mail : Peter.Whitehouse@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
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