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National and Official Statistics

National Statistics

Throughout this site, you will notice that many of our statistical products carry the National Statistics branding, in the top right hand corner of the page. Products which carry this branding are those that have been formally assessed as being fully compliant with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics or those previously designated as National Statistics which have still to be assessed (see below).

Up to date contact details for each National Statistics product are given on the relevant Statistical Notice. See:

National Statistics Release Calendar

All Defra’s National Statistics products are listed on this calendar in advance of publication. The calendar forms part of the National Statistics Publication Hub.

About Defra’s agriculture and environment statistics

Key facts about Defra’s agriculture and environment statistics, with links to pages containing detailed information and data plus other useful websites are available on the Agriculture and Environment Theme pages of the Publication Hub

National vs Official Statistics

Under the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007, Official Statistics can only be designated as ‘National Statistics’ following a formal assessment of their compliance with the UK Statistics Authority’s ‘Code of Practice for Official Statistics’ (see below). However, existing National Statistics will continue to retain the badge prior to assessment. Further information about the definition of Official Statistics (which is very wide) is available on our Statistics and Registration Service Act Webpage.

The UK Statistics Authority published their first assessment report on Defra’s National Statistics on 17 December 2009, covering our Agriculture in the UK (AUK) publication and selected crop and livestock statistics. The Authority confirmed that the statistics published in AUK, Agricultural Statistics in your Pocket, and the crop and livestock commodity statistics covered by the report were designated as National Statistics, subject to Defra implementing the enhancements specified and reporting them to the Authority by March 2010. A Project Manager has been appointed to direct the completion of this work.

The remainder of Defra’s National Statistics will be assessed as part of the UK Statistics Authority’s 2010-12 programme of Assessments.

Reviews and Consultations

In Summer 2010 we undertook a user consultation of our food and farming statistics. The outcomes of the consultation, a summary of responses and the full response of the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (the body with primary responsibility for providing market information to the farming industry) are shown below.

The National Statistics Quality Review Programme was a key feature of the National Statistics system which operated prior to 1 April 2008.

A review of Food and Farming Statistics was undertaken by Defra in June 2009.

Code of Practice

A Code of Practice for Official Statistics was issued by the UK Statistics Authority in January 2009. Defra’s National Statistics are required to comply with the new Code, while Defra’s Official Statistics follow the Code as best practice.

The Cabinet Secretary wrote to Permanent Secretaries in February 2009 to stress the importance the Government attaches to the observance of the UKSA’s Code of Practice. It is not only a code for statisticians to apply to designated National Statistics, but covers all officials and advisers who use and publish official statistics.

The key points as noted by the Cabinet Secretary are:

  • When preparing any publication containing statistics, including those drawn from administrative or management information, you must involve statistical professionals at the earliest opportunity
  • You must not use unpublished statistics without the advice of a statistical professional
  • You must not selectively quote favourable data from any unpublished dataset
  • Decisions taken by statistical professionals are final
  • Any publication containing official statistics must provide information relating to their quality, reliability and usability
  • Pre-release access to official statistics is a privilege. You must not disclose any information, nor seek to alter it in any way
  • Ignoring any of the above may constitute a breach of the Code and result in an investigation by the UK Statistics Authority and a published report to Parliament.

The Departmental Statement of Compliance with the National Statistics Code of Practice, which sets out arrangement for National Statistics, is being reviewed to reflect the new Code. 

The Departmental Statement of Compliance with the National Statistics Code of Practice, which sets out arrangement for National Statistics, is being reviewed to reflect the new Code.  The review will be completed by 30 April 2012. A revised Statement on Revisions and Errors  has now been produced and can be downloaded below.  This replaces the version provided at page 15 of the current Statement of Compliance.

Statement of Administrative Sources

Protocol 3 of the Code of Practice for Official Statistics  requires Departments to prepare a Statement of Administrative sources

Further Information

If you would like any further general information on National and Official Statistics in Defra or its agencies, please contact Jane Simcock jane.simcock@defra.gsi.gov.uk Tel: 01904 455323

Defra Statistical Policy Team

Page last modified: August 24, 2012