Standard 1: Equality of access
Public bodies should make statistics, data and wider analysis used in the public domain available to everyone in a timely way, so that the public can easily access, scrutinise and verify claims and decisions made based on them.
- Where possible, draw on the latest and most reliable published official statistics.
- Publish statistics, data and wider analysis in advance of, or at the same time as, their use in public communications.
- Publish statistics, data and wider analysis separately from any related policy and ministerial statements.
- If unpublished statistics, data or wider analysis are referred to publicly, they should be published as soon as possible, ideally on the same day.
Relevant Code principles: be accessible; be transparent
Standard 2: Supporting understanding
Public bodies should use statistics, data and wider analysis with integrity and communicate them with clarity and accuracy, so that the public can easily understand the basis for claims and decisions made.
- Do not use statistics, data or wider analysis in a misleading way. This includes not cherry-picking figures, taking figures out of context or placing undue certainty on them.
- Clearly communicate any key context and limitations associated with statistics, data and wider analysis to help the public understand and interpret them.
- Be clear about where statistics, data and wider analysis used in public communications come from. For example, cite sources in publications and on social media.
- Take proactive steps to prevent or minimise the risk of misinterpretation or misuse.
Relevant Code principles: show integrity; be clear; be open about quality
Standard 3: Decision making and leadership
Public bodies should seek and use impartial, expert advice when using statistics, data and wider analysis in the public domain, so that the public can have confidence that they have been used appropriately.
- Senior leaders should actively promote and embed these standards within their organisation. This includes communications, policy and analytical leaders.
- Those responsible for public communications should follow advice from professional analysts, such as analysts from the relevant statistical/analytical teams and/or Chief Statisticians/Heads of Profession for Statistics/Directors of Analysis, on the use of statistics, data and wider analysis.
- In response to the use of unpublished figures in the public domain, the publication of statistics, data and wider analysis should follow advice from Chief Statisticians/Heads of Professions for Statistics.
- Senior leaders, including permanent secretaries and ministers, should support decisions made by analytical leaders such as Chief Statisticians/Heads of Professions for Statistics/Directors of Analysis.
Relevant Code principles: lead responsibly; be rigorous; be relevant
More information on meeting these standards, including questions that individuals and teams within public bodies can ask themselves, is available in Guidance on the Standards for the Public Use of Statistics, Data and Wider Analysis, as well as OSR’s regulatory guidance on intelligent transparency and FAQs.
