The Scottish Government

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Scottish Executive Statistical Services

Our aim

The aim of the Statistical Service is to provide relevant and reliable statistical information, analysis and advice that meet the needs of government, business and the people of Scotland.

Our Objectives

1. To ensure that all statistics work is relevant to meeting user needs by

• Improving the range of statistics and analysis we produce for users inside and outside of government (including for key cross cutting policy areas such as the economy, social justice, area regeneration, equality and rural issues).
• Reviewing and where practicable improving timeliness.
• Providing more statistics disaggregated by age, gender, ethnicity and other characteristics.
• Developing more data for small areas through the Neighbourhood Statistics project.
• Maintaining comparability of statistics across the UK.

2. To make better use of our statistics by

• Contributing more directly to policy processes inside and where possible outside government. These include community planning, performance information, measurement of government targets, better policy making and modernising government objectives.
• Improving access to and presentation of data and analysis, through better use of the Web, improved publications and improved systems for holding and accessing background data.
• Improving the advice provided on statistics to Ministers and senior management within the Executive.

3. To develop the reliability and integrity of official statistics by

• Assuring and improving quality as an integral part of data collection and analysis and through regular reviews in line with National Statistics quality strategy.
• Developing statistical methods, systems and classifications.
• Maintaining and promoting integrity through implementation of the National Statistics Code of Practice and related protocols.

4. To ensure the efficient and effective delivery of statistics products and services by

• Making full use of all sources including administrative sources.
• Minimising the burden on data providers through Survey Monitoring & Advice.
• Ensuring value for money.
• Employing staff with the necessary skills and ensuring development of expertise amongst existing staff.
• Ensuring effective use of Information and Communications Technology.
• Managing, promoting and upholding the integrity of the statistics profession.

5. To plan effectively and work together by

• Producing and implementing an annual Scottish Executive Statistics Plan.
• Developing more co-ordinated working arrangements with other analytical services in and out of the Executive.
• Working with the rest of the Government Statistical Service to develop joint approaches/solutions where appropriate.
• Improving the involvement of users and providers, working on a partnership basis wherever possible.

This is a National Statistics publication

This Statistics Release has been produced to the standards set out in the National Statistics Code of Practice and Release Practice Protocol.

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/about_ns/cop/default.asp

National Statistics are produced to high professional standards. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference.

Details of pre-release access will be provided in the Scottish Executive Statistics Website under 'Forthcoming Releases'.

Correspondence and enquiries

Advice on specific areas of Scottish Executive statistical work can be obtained from staff at the telephone numbers given below:

Scottish Executive Statistics contacts

Other contacts for Scottish statistics

For general enquiries about National Statistics in the United Kingdom Government contact the National Statistics Public Enquiry Service on

020 7533 5888
minicom: 01633 812399
Email: info@statistics.gov.uk
Fax: 01633 652747

Letters:

You can also find National Statistics on the internet - go to www.statistics.gov.uk

If you would like to be consulted about new or existing statistical collections or to receive notification of forthcoming statistical publications, please register your statistical interest on the Scottish Executive ScotStat web site at www.scotland.gov.uk/scotstat

Current staff names, e-mail addresses and the publications listed below as well as a range of other statistical publications can be found on the Scottish Executive Web site at www.scotland.gov.uk/stats

Further information on the General Register Office for Scotland is available on the website www.gro-scotland.gov.uk

Most recent Statistical Publications relating to Freshwater Fisheries

Additional copies of these publications may be purchased from Scottish Executive Publication Sales, Blackwell's Bookshop, 53 South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1YS, Telephone: (0131) 622 8283, Fax: (0131) 622 8258. Cheques should be made payable to 'The Blackwell's Bookshop'.

Complaints and suggestions

If you are not satisfied with our service, please write to the Chief Statistician, Mr Rob Wishart, 4 Floor East Rear, St Andrews House, Edinburgh, EH1 3DG, Telephone: (0131) 244 0302, e-mail rob.wishart@scotland.gov.uk. We also welcome any comments or suggestions that would help us to improve our standards of service.

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