United Kingdom Statistics Authority Code of Practice. Summary

1. Fundamental to good government; delivery of public
services; decision making in all sectors of society.
Why Provides a window on society and the economy, and
on the work and performance of government.
Apply Code of Practice so that :the range of official
statistics meets the needs of users; Statistics are
What produced, managed and disseminated to high
standards. statistics are well explained.
Observance of Code by all public bodies that produce
Who official statistics and that provision is trustworthy and
trusted.
Code will need interpretation and professional
judgement. Exemptions to practices but not principles.
How Managerial Separation for statistics producers. Powers
from Statistics and registrations Act 2007.

2. Principles Protocols
Principle 1: Principle 5:
Meeting user needs Confidentiality Protocol 1:
5 Practices 6 Practices
User engagement
7 Practices
Principle 2:
Principle 6:
Impartiality and
Proportionate burden
objectivity 5 Practices
9 Practices Protocol 2:
Release practices
9 Practices
Principle 3: Principle 7:
Integrity Resources
7 Practices 7 Practices
Protocol 3:
Use of admin sources
Principle 4: Principle 8:
for statistical purposes
Sound methods and Frankness and 5 Practices
assured quality accessibility
7 Practices 7 Practices
74 Practices

3. Principles 1-4
The production, management and dissemination of
Principle 1:
official statistics should meet the requirements of
Meeting user needs
5 Practices informed decision-making by government, public services,
business, researchers and the public
Principle 2: Official statistics, and information about statistical
Impartiality and processes, should be managed impartially and
objectivity objectively.
9 Practices
At all stages in the production, management and
Principle 3:
dissemination of official statistics, the public interest
Integrity
7 Practices should prevail over organisational, political or personal
interests.
Principle 4: Statistical methods should be consistent with scientific
Sound methods and principles and internationally recognised best practices,
assured quality and be fully documented. Quality should be monitored and
7 Practices assured taking account of internationally agreed practices.

4. Principles 5-8
Principle 5: Private information about individual persons (including
bodies corporate) compiled in the production of official
Confidentiality
6 Practices
statistics is confidential, and should be used for
statistical purposes only.
Principle 6: The cost burden on data suppliers should not be
Proportionate excessive and should be assessed relative to the benefits
burden arising from the use of the statistics.
5 Practices
Principle 7: The resources made available for statistical activities
should be sufficient to meet the requirements of this
Resources
7 Practices
Code and should be used efficiently and effectively.
Principle 8: Official statistics, accompanied by full and frank
Frankness and commentary, should be readily accessible to all users.
accessibility
7 Practices

5. Protocols
Effective user engagement is fundamental both to trust
Protocol 1:
in statistics and securing maximum public value. This
User engagement
7 Practices
Protocol draws together the relevant practices set out
elsewhere in the Code and expands on the requirements
in relation to consultation.
Statistical reports should be released into the public
Protocol 2:
domain in an orderly manner that promotes public
Release practices
9 Practices confidence and gives equal access to all, subject to
relevant legislation.
Protocol 3: Administrative sources should be fully exploited for
Use of admin sources statistical purposes, subject to adherence to appropriate
for statistical purposes safeguards.
5 Practices