Introduction
This paper sets out the Office for Statistics Regulation’s policy for granting alternative release times in line with the Code amendment to practice T3.6 (Edition 2.1 of the Code of Practice for Statistics). It also sets out the steps to be undertaken for statistics subject to a release time exemption during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Standards for alternative release times
We endorse the benefits of publishing at consistent, standard release times, with fair notice for users about when the statistics will be made available.
The Code supports producers having some flexibility in the timing of the release, in being able to request a time other than 9.30am that would enable the statistics to better serve the public good.
Producers should understand the nature of the use made of the statistics and how use will be enhanced through adopting an alternative release time.
We expect statistics producers to be transparent about when they plan to release statistics, how they came to their decision of release time, and to protect the statistics from interference by any vested interests.
It is critical for maintaining the confidence of users that any changes to planned times of release are also made public, along with their justification.
Process to obtain an alternative release time
Heads of Profession for Statistics/lead officials should write to the Director General for Regulation requesting permission for an alternative time of release to be adopted for a specific set of official statistics – to be pre-announced and applied consistently going forward.
In making the request, the producer should outline how it has considered the public good served by the statistics, particularly in relation to user need, independence, transparency and orderliness of release.
The Director General for Regulation will consider the application in relation to the public good served through enabling the alternative release time, taking into account evidence of the benefit to users around release and accessibility, and how the producer intends to ensure independence, transparency and orderliness in the release of the statistics.
OSR will maintain a list of alternative release time approvals on its website. Producers should make clear the timing of release in their statistics announcements.
Rejection of an alternative release time request
Where the producer has not provided sufficient grounds of the public good being served through the exceptional release, the Director General for Regulation will refuse the request.
The case must address user need, transparency, independence and orderliness – a failure to achieve one of these areas would lead to a refusal, for example:
- User need: No effort has been made to engage users in understanding their needs and views about the time of release or a lack of evidence on why the time of release will enhance their use
- Transparency: Where the producer fails to approach the release in a transparent manner but is instead opaque about the rationale for the preferred release time
- Independence: Where pressure has been applied internally for an alternative release time to coincide with a ministerial activity or statement
- Orderliness: Where the release approach does not take due account of burdens imposed on staff or other statistics producers
Any queries about the Director General’s decision can be raised with OSR. We are always open to further consideration, representations, and evidence. This offer is to the producer requesting the alternative time, as well as to others affected such as other producers, users, and stakeholders. Correspondence can be sent to regulation@statistics.gov.uk.
Converting a release time exemption into an alternative release time
We will convert exemptions granted during the COVID-19 pandemic to become an alternative release time when the Code is updated on 5 May 2022. Producers of these statistics should consider whether they still need to publish the statistics at a time other than 9.30am. They should inform the Office for Statistics Regulation if the alternative release time is not needed or if different release arrangements are desired to those in the exemption.