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1. IntroductionÌý

This policy documentsÌýourÌýapproach toÌýpublic involvement and engagementÌýfor officialÌýstatistics produced by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), in compliance withÌýfollowingÌýstandards set out in theÌýÌý

• PracticeÌý8.5:ÌýPublish your public involvement and engagement strategy. Be clear how you engage with users inside and outside of your organisation, as well as other stakeholders with an interest in the statistics, such as intermediaries and community groupsÌý

2. Access to statisticsÌý

Routinely produced statistics are available free of charge from theÌýResearch and Statistics page on the °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï website. DSITÌýwillÌýgenerally announceÌýthe month of release of these statistics 12 months in advance and the exact date 4 weeks in advance. All published statistics are published at 9:30am on the scheduled day unless otherwise announced.Ìý

In line with legislation,ÌýDSITÌýwill provide a specific statistical publication in a different format if requested. If you require a document in an alternative format such as audio, braille or large print, contact the responsible statistician using the contact email addresses and telephone numbers included within the statistical release or provided on the accompanying statistical press release. Other enquiriesÌýregardingÌýthe contents of a specific release should be addressed to the responsible statistician forÌýthat release.Ìý

Media enquiriesÌýregardingÌýthe contents of a specific release should be directed to theÌýDSIT press office.Ìý

Enquiries made under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act should be addressed to the department’s FOI team:

3. Consulting with usersÌý

DSIT ensures that on key developments to our statistics, there are transparent and clear processes allowing for views from both internal and external customers.ÌýThe decision to consult with users is on the authority of DSIT’s Chief Statistician, whileÌýcomplying withÌýthe Code of Practice for Statistics. DSIT willÌýengage users including throughÌýwrittenÌýconsultationÌýwith users through consultations orÌýcallsÌýfor evidenceÌýwhen the department wishes to make:Ìý

• significant changes to the content of publicationsÌý

• significant changes to the method of publicationÌý

• major methodological changes to the production of statisticsÌý

• significant changes to how the departmentÌýpublishesÌýits statistics (e.g. the merging of several related publications into a single publication)Ìý

DSIT will provide a summaryÌýofÌýuser responses to each consultation and the rationale forÌýdecisions made about the statistics. These will be providedÌýeither as a bespoke response or within statistics releases.Ìý

The primary vehicles forÌýwritten user engagement exercises on DSIT statistics will be the statistical pages and the consultations section of °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï. Information onÌýwritten user engagementÌýexercises, updates to the publication schedule, and changes to departmental policies and procedures will be publicisedÌýon the DSIT statistics pages.Ìý

In addition to formal consultations, DSIT will seek views through the statistical pages of °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï or in its regular publications with regards to more modest or technical changes.ÌýÌý

Outside of proposed changes, users of individual publications are encouraged to give feedback to the lead statistician on each DSIT release. These details can be found on theÌýwebpage of the respective releases. Any feedback given will be taken into consideration for future development plans for the relevant publication.

4. UnderstandingÌýuserÌýneedsÌý

The content of the department’s statistics and the supporting information providedÌýwill be informed by an understanding ofÌýusers’Ìýneeds.ÌýDSIT statisticians recognise thatÌýasÌýa departmentÌýweÌýmonitorÌýlots of innovative and changingÌýconcepts,ÌýsoÌýour statistics need to evolve to remain relevantÌýe.g. economic statistics for emerging sectors and cyber security.ÌýÌýWe value industryÌýexpertiseÌýfrom these sectors but also consumer experience of living in a changing environment.Ìý

DSIT will ensure that all statistics and research produced by the department follow the core principles set out in the . DSIT will also follow best practice in the chosen methods for engagement, as set out by the . DSIT will look to deliver effective user engagement through achieving the three main goals of the strategy: Ìý

• collaboration: teams in DSIT work together toÌýidentifyÌýcommon users and understand their needs across the DSIT portfolio Ìý

• ³¦²¹±è²¹²ú¾±±ô¾±³Ù²â: DSIT will ensure that producers of statistics are aware of the relevant guidance and resources available to support a comprehensive and quality approach to delivering user engagement activities  Ìý

• ³¦³Ü±ô³Ù³Ü°ù±ð: DSIT will embed the principle of user engagement into statistical and research work, as a priorityÌý

DSIT will help users to understandÌýourÌýproducts by publishingÌýsupporting technical annexesÌýor referring to supporting, background or educational information and material. DSIT makes it easy toÌýidentifyÌýwhich products have beenÌýdesignatedÌýasÌýaccreditedÌýofficialÌýstatisticsÌýby marking them with theÌýaccreditedÌýofficialÌýstatisticsÌýlogo.