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Scottish Government Statistician Group

Our Aim

To provide relevant and reliable information, analysis and advice that meet the needs of government, business and the people of Scotland.

Objectives

1. To produce statistics and analysis relevant to user needs by

  • Developing our understanding of customer requirements to ensure statistics are kept relevant and analysis is well targeted;
  • Developing the range of statistics and analysis we produce;
  • Where practicable improving timeliness;
  • Providing more statistics disaggregated by age, gender and ethnicity;
  • Developing more data for small areas through the Neighbourhood Statistics project;
  • Contributing to production of comparable statistics across the UK and internationally.

2. To ensure effective use of our statistics by

  • Contributing more directly to policy processes inside and where possible outside government;
  • Improving access to and presentation of data and analysis;
  • Improving the advice provided on statistics.

3. To work effectively with users and providers by

  • Maintaining arrangements to consult and involve users and providers;
  • Involving users and providers in planning developments in outputs and processes;
  • Minimising the burden on data providers through dropping or streamlining collections as appropriate, to ensure the benefits of the information justify the costs of collection.

4. To develop the quality of statistics by

  • Assuring and improving quality as an integral part of data collection and analysis and through regular reviews in line with National Statistics quality strategy;
  • Developing statistical methods, systems and classifications;
  • Working with the rest of the Government Statistical Service to develop joint approaches/solutions where appropriate.

5. To assure the integrity of statistics by

  • Maintaining and promoting integrity through implementation of the National Statistics Code of Practice and related protocols;
  • Safeguarding the confidentiality of data subjects.

6. To ensure the efficient and effective delivery of statistics products and services by

  • Making best use of all sources including administrative sources;
  • Working with other analysts to maximise the contribution of our own and other analysts' work;
  • Ensuring value for money;
  • Making best use of Information and Communications Technology;
  • Ensuring effective communication within the Statistician Group.

7. To develop our workforce and competences

  • Ensuring recruitment of staff with the necessary skills and potential;
  • Ensuring development of expertise amongst existing staff;
  • Promoting and upholding the standards of the statistics profession.

This is a National Statistics publication

"This is a National Statistics publication. It has been produced to high professional standards set out in the National Statistics Code of Practice Protocol. http://www.statistics.gov.uk/about_ns/cop/default.asp

These statistics undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference."

Details of pre-release access will be provided in the Scottish Government Statistics Website under 'Forthcoming Releases'

A National Statistics Publication for Scotland

The United Kingdom Statistics Authority has designated these statistics as National Statistics, in accordance with the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 and signifying compliance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.

Designation can be broadly interpreted to mean that the statistics:

  • meet identified user needs;
  • are well explained and readily accessible;
  • are produced according to sound methods, and
  • are managed impartially and objectively in the public interest.

Once statistics have been designated as National Statistics it is a statutory requirement that the Code of Practice shall continue to be observed.

Further information about Official and National Statistics can be found on the UK Statistics Authority website at www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk

Scottish Government Statistician Group

Our Aim

To provide relevant and reliable information, analysis and advice that meets the needs of government, business and the people of Scotland.

For more information on the Statistician Group, please see the Scottish Government website at www.scotland.gov.uk/statistics