Government responds to PACAC's 2024 report on ‘Transforming the UK's Evidence Base’

Article summary

The government, UK Statistics Authority (UKSA), Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) have responded to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee's (PACAC) May 2024 report on 'Transforming the UK's Evidence Base'. Notable outcomes include the government's rejection of establishing a comprehensive data-sharing programme, whilst accepting the need to review health data inclusion in the Digital Economy Act 2017. The UKSA will launch its first Statistical Assembly in January 2025, whilst the ONS has committed to annual publication of information regarding sought datasets. The OSR will enhance its reporting on data gaps across the UK statistical system. These developments form part of broader statistical system reforms, with funding arrangements to be considered in the upcoming Spending Review 2025.