The Scottish Government

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ASSURING THE INTEGRITY OF STATISTICS

Implementing the Code of Practice and related arrangements

52. It is well recognised that the process of informing government programmes is wholly undermined if our statistics are not trusted. The National Statistics arrangements were introduced specifically to provide assurance of integrity and reflect commitments made by the incoming UK government in 1997, in response to lack of trust in government statistics such as unemployment.

53. The National Statistics Code means that Ministers have committed themselves:

• Not to get involved in the format, content or timing of the statistics releases or operational statistics matters.
• Only to use pre-release access for the purpose of responding at the time of release or thereafter.
• Not to make statements about the figures before their release.

54. At the same time we need to ensure that development and implementation of Code of Practice issues is sensitive to devolved needs and especially that it allows the Statistics Group to provide effective support to Ministers and others on programme delivery and monitoring.

55. In the light of this, through working across Departments:

• We will agree arrangements to implement the 11 recently published National Statistics protocols (covering issues such as quality assurance and data matching).
• We will provide support to Ministers, senior officials and press officers to ensure that they are clear about the requirements of National Statistics in general and provide advice on specific cases.
• We will contribute to preliminary UK wide discussions on the review of the National Statistics Framework and Code and involve internal and external interests.
• We will work with the Statistics Commission to develop their role in Scotland. An agenda is currently under discussion. This will be finalised and appropriate actions and timescales identified.
• We will consider the Commission's proposals for statistics legislation in collaboration with the other UK administrations.
• We will give further consideration to the issue of how to address misuse and misinterpretation of statistics in the media.
• We will identify additional ways of promoting the work of the Statistician Group and the positive contribution it makes.

Freedom of Information implications

56. Implementation of Freedom of Information provisions presents some specific challenges for the government statistics. These have been the subject of discussion with the Scottish Information Commissioner and others and detailed guidance has been produced and implemented in all Departments. This is publicly available.

57. We do however go into Freedom of Information with some advantages due to Ministerial commitment to the National Statistics arrangements which require publication of statistics as soon as possible according to pre-announced schedules and the release of all background data.

Beyond National Statistics

58. There are many statistics produced by government that are not classed as National Statistics and measurement of a significant number of government programmes requires use of statistics produced outwith the Executive - particularly management information and other statistics produced by government agencies.

59. Over the coming period we will:

• Develop arrangements to improve the handling of non-National Statistics produced within the Executive.
• Review the scope of National Statistics.
• Work with other parts of the public sector to consider the application of statistical standards to other statistics.
  Developing our approach to data protection and disclosure control

60. We will progress work through the Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics project on confidentiality and disclosure and will ensure that no personal or disclosive information is made available outside those who have a legal right to see it.

61. These issues will also be considered further when we look at implementation of the National Statistics Protocols.

QUALITY, METHODOLOGY AND LIAISON WITH THE OTHER PARTS OF THE STATISTICAL SERVICE IN THE UK

62. Ensuring quality and improving methodology require continuing attention as new opportunities and needs develop. We are fortunate to be able to work with the substantial statistical capability in UK Government Departments and other devolved administrations - sharing expertise and best practice and drawing on the differing strengths each organisation has.

Quality and methodology

63. We will assure and improve quality as an integral part of data collection and analysis and through regular reviews in line with National Statistics quality strategy.

64. We will work with the rest of the GSS to develop joint approaches/solutions where appropriate. This is likely to include the areas of incomes and maintenance of confidentiality.

Minimising the burden on data providers and making the best use of data through Survey Monitoring & Advice

65. We will review our arrangements for Survey Monitoring and Advice work across the SE.

66. We will seek to reach agreement with the ONS on measuring of survey compliance.

Making best use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

67. We will work with ICT colleagues in the Executive to ensure best value use of statistical software.

Working with UK government and other devolved administrations

68. The Chief Statistician will continue to contribute to the development of thinking on government statistics on a UK wide basis by playing an effective role in the GSS management structures.

69. We will maintain our links with ONS and other UK Government Departments.

70. Through the various liaison groups we will help set priorities, aid with the promotion and use of the various outputs and provide an important arena for discussing the development and use of key statistics.

71. We will also work with ONS to further develop the maintenance and use of geographical tools, datasets and products.

DEVELOPING THE PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE OF OUR WORKFORCE

72. We have increased the budget for specialist statistics training across the Executive to £83,000 per annum. This is critical to the ability of the Statistics Group to meet the wider responsibilities being placed on it.

73. Our Training and Development cross office group will continue to develop new activities and maintain existing ones such as lunchtime seminars.

74. We will give greater emphasis to identifying and bringing on talent amongst our Assistant Statisticians and in particular ensuring that we retain the high quality staff vital to the delivery of the Statistical Plan.

75. We will establish a Band C Statistician development programme which will help broaden skills.

76. We will ensure that the recently improved Statistics Group Intranet is maintained and appropriately updated as a means to ensuring effective communication within the Group.

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