Six choices that shape a
Statistical Council
Richard Alldritt, Head of Assessment,
UK Statistics Authority
Fundamental choices
1. Responsibilities of Council and Chief
Statistician?
2. Governance of Agency or whole system?
3. Promote public interest, or accountable
for Agency?
4. Who sets direction and standards?
5. Publicly challenge misuse?
6. Membership of Council?
The UK model has many ‘players’
UK Parliament
Minister, Cabinet
Office
Chair of the
Authority & Board
Secretariat
Head of
Assessment &
Assessment staff
2 x Authority
Deputy Chairs
National Statistician
Authority Board
non-executives (x6)
Director General,
ONS
Devolved Chief
Statisticians (x3)
ONS Directors
Heads of
Profession (x30)
The UK choices
1. Statistics Authority: twin roles
2. Covers all official statistics across
Government
3. Promotes public interest but tied to ONS
4. Authority sets Code and assesses
compliance
5. Publicly challenges misuse
6. Strong membership: public and
respected