About surveys

It is essential for the Welsh Government to conduct surveys of the public, businesses and other public organisations. There is often no other practical, affordable, and reliable way of gathering this information.

Strategic Framework for Welsh Government Surveys 2012-2017

In July 2012 the Welsh Government published a Strategic Framework for Welsh Government Surveys 2012-2017.  The strategy will help us improve the way we run and manage our survey processes and help ensure that the information we need is collected in the best, most cost-effective way. The survey strategy is available to download at the link below. 

Strategic Framework for Welsh Government Surveys 2012-2017

Survey approval

We work to make sure that the burden of completing surveys is not excessive for businesses, organisations or members of the public.  As part of this, before surveys go ahead we consider the burden of completing them against the benefits the results will bring; and we make sure that the way the survey is designed and carried out keeps burden to a minimum.

All surveys carried out by (or for) the Welsh Government and some organisations linked to the Welsh Government, such as Welsh Government Sponsored Bodies, should go through the Survey Advice and Approval Process.  

If you are planning a survey and are not sure whether you need survey approval please read the guidelines below.

The approval of surveys: Guidelines

If you know that you need survey approval, please download the form below, complete it, and send it to survey-advice@wales.gsi.gov.uk.

The approval of statistical surveys: Form

Further information 

For information about the role of the Welsh Government’s Survey Advice and Approval service, visit the Office for National Statistics Survey Control Unit webpage 

For information about surveys conducted by the Welsh Government and for advice about conducting surveys or the survey approval process, please contact survey-advice@wales.gsi.gov.uk.