Wonder

Research Outline

Prepared for Insightful | Delivered October 7, 2019

National Statistical System

Goals

To determine the best practices and lessons learned on establishing a National Statistical System (NSS). The information will be used to design a complete NSS framework.

Early Findings

UK NATIONAL STATISTICAL OFFICE
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the UK's "largest independent producer of official statistics and the recognized national statistical institute of the UK."
The center oversees the collection and dissemination of relevant statistics on the  "economy, population and society at national, regional and local levels."
The body also administers census activities in England and Wales in 10-year cycles.
The Office is independent of ministers and is under the jurisdiction of the "UK Statistics Authority to Parliament and devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Island."
The body is the executive arm of the UK Statistics Authority.
ONS has its own "Commercial Services" team which is responsible for "orocurement,  contract management, and commercial intelligence" processes.
The office also has several initiatives that are meant to provide new statistics, enhance its own IT infrastructure, allow for better data access, and improve the competency of its staff.

ONS LEADERS
The ONS is led by the National Statistician. Currently, Jonathan Athow holds the position of "Interim National Statistician and Permanent Secretary."
He is also the "Head of the Government Statistical Service (GSS) and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority."
He also oversees the statistics profession of the government.
He provides advice to the "ministers, the Cabinet Secretary, and senior officials on the production, dissemination and use of statistics across the government."