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°Õ³ó±ðÌý (the Code) provides producers of official statistics with the standards they must commit to when producing and releasing official statistics.Ìý

It ensures that the statistics published by the government serve the public. When producers of official ²õ³Ù²¹³Ù¾±²õ³Ù¾±³¦²õÌýcomply with the Code, it gives users of statistics and citizens confidence that published government statistics are of public value, are high quality and are produced by people and organisations that are worthy of trust.Ìý

The framework for the Code of Practice for Statistics is based on 3 principles: 

• trustworthiness – having confidence in the people and organisations that produce statistics and data

• quality – using suitable data and appropriate methods that produce assured statistics

• value – producing statistics that benefit the public by informing and supporting decision making, action and debate

The principles have 10 essential areas of practice.

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• show integrity 
• lead responsibly 
• be transparent 
• manage data responsibly

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• prioritise quality 
• be rigorous 
• be open about quality

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• be relevant 
• be clear 
• be accessible

DWP compliance with the Code 

´¡±ô±ôÌýDepartment for Work and Pensions (DWP) official statistics are produced and published in line with  set out in the Code and statistical practices are regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR).ÌýÌý

Many of the statistics produced by DWP are accredited official statistics. This is the name for official statistics which have been independently reviewed by OSR and confirmed to comply with the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code.

Producers of accredited official ²õ³Ù²¹³Ù¾±²õ³Ù¾±³¦²õÌýare required to ensure they continue to maintain compliance with the Code. Accredited official statistics are called National Statistics in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007.ÌýA  is published on the OSR ·É±ð²ú²õ¾±³Ù±ð.Ìý

´¡±ô±ôÌýDWP official statistics are supported by a background, information and methodology note and a release strategy that reflects the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the production and release of the statistics. For example, the Universal Credit statistics.Ìý

Users are invited to contact statistical producers directly with any comments about the statistics standards or contact OSR directly by emailing regulation@statistics.gov.uk  or via the .Ìý

DWP Chief Statistician 

The Chief Statistician, Steve Ellerd-Elliott, has lead responsibility to ensure compliance with the Code and in making impartial decisions about ²õ³Ù²¹³Ù¾±²õ³Ù¾±³¦²õÌýso that the public can have confidence in the independent and objective nature of statistics.Ìý

Standards for the public use of statistics, data and wider analysis

In addition to compliance with the Standards for Official Statistics, DWP ²¹±è±è±ô¾±±ð²õÌý³Ù³ó±ð when communicating statistics in the public domain. These 3 standards are built on the concept of , which is grounded in the core principles of the Code.Ìý

Equality of access

The aim is for official statistics to be the authoritative source of information used in the public domain. However, there may be times when there is a need to use previously unpublished information (including Management Information) in the public domain. In this case, an ad-hoc statistical release will be used to meet equality of access and will be pre-announced and published as soon as possible.

Supporting understanding

Analysts work with communications colleagues to ensure all public statements which feature data and ²õ³Ù²¹³Ù¾±²õ³Ù¾±³¦²õÌýcan be verified by published information and that they include appropriate acknowledgement of any uncertainties and context that users need to be aware of if they are to interpret what they mean.

Decision making and leadership

All communications materials which feature data and ²õ³Ù²¹³Ù¾±²õ³Ù¾±³¦²õÌýare cleared by a lead analyst or the DWP chief statistician. Lead analysts provide a core role in the analytical community, working to the head of their directorate in areas across DWP and as a cohesive leadership team in providing expert advice when using statistics and data in the public domain.

Charges for supplementary statistical services 

Supplementary requests for statistics are handled as business as usual, for example, Freedom of Information requests.Ìý

Policies and procedures for DWP ²õ³Ù²¹³Ù¾±²õ³Ù¾±³¦²õÌý

Information on policies and procedures to ensure official statistics produced by DWP comply with the principles and protocols contained in the Code are published online.

They include the: 

• °ù±ð±ô±ð²¹²õ±ðÌý±è°ù²¹³¦³Ù¾±³¦±ðÌý±è´Ç±ô¾±³¦²â
• revisions and corrections policy
• data management approach and confidentiality policy
• DWPÌý²õ³Ù²¹³Ù¾±²õ³Ù¾±³¦²¹±ôÌý·É´Ç°ù°ìÌý±è°ù´Ç²µ°ù²¹³¾³¾±ð
• public involvement and engagement strategy
• voluntary application of the Code of Practice

Contact information 

Contact DWP by email at statistics.hopsupport@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.