Oversight of ONS

The UK Statistics Authority is the legal successor body to the former Office for National Statistics (ONS), which ceased to exist as a separate entity on 1 April 2008.  On that date, ONS became the Statistics Authority's executive office, though it was decided that the office should retain the name 'Office for National Statistics'. The Statistics Authority took over ONS's former responsibilities as well as the statistical functions of the Registrar General, including the preparation and publication of the decennial population census. The Statistics Authority has powers to produce statistics, provide statistical services and promote statistical research.

The National Statistician, who is an executive member of the Statistics Authority, is also the Statistics Authority's Chief Executive and accountable to it for the operation of its executive office. She is also the Statistics Authority's principal adviser on professional statistical matters.

Professor Sir Adrian Smith - one of the Statistics Authority's two Deputy Chairs - has responsibility for the governance of ONS.

For more information about ONS, the Statistics Authority's executive office, please see the related link, About ONS.