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Extract from the National Statistics Framework Document
4.2 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STATISTICS COMMISSION
4.2.1 The Statistics Commission will play a key role in advising on the quality, quality assurance and priority setting for National Statistics, and on the procedures designed to deliver statistical integrity, to help ensure National Statistics are trustworthy and responsive to public needs. It will be independent of both Ministers and the producers of National Statistics. It will operate in a transparent way with the minutes of its meetings, correspondence and evidence it receives, and advice it gives, all normally being publicly available for scrutiny. Appointment and terms
4.2.2 Members will be appointed by the Chancellor, as Minister for National Statistics, in accordance with the Code of Practice published by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Appointment will take into account the need for the Commission to be independent, command authority, reflect the views of users and information providers of National Statistics and demonstrate a good understanding of statistical issues and the value of trustworthy statistics in democratic debate. The members need not be professional statisticians. Initial appointments will usually be for three years although terms of different lengths may be offered to ensure continuity. Any subsequent re- appointments may be offered in line with prevailing guidance issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
Functions
4.2.3 The main function of the Statistics Commission is to give independent, reliable and relevant advice on National Statistics to Ministers and, by so doing, to provide an additional safeguard on the quality and integrity of National Statistics. In discharging its responsibilities, a key requirement will be to establish itself as a source of high quality and independent advice on statistical issues. Its advice will be made available to the wider public who must be able to rely on it as both considered and impartial.
4.2.4 The Statistics Commission is independent and, as such, has freedom in the way it operates, subject to the requirements laid down in this Framework Document and any framework document specific to the Commission. This includes flexibility to determine how it spends its resources, and how it selects and deploys its secretariat.
4.2.5 The Statistics Commission will ensure that satisfactory systems are in place for the effective delivery of its role in monitoring and advising on the quality and integrity of National Statistics. It will operate in a transparent and open way - making its operations publicly available for scrutiny. It will be responsible for the use of its resources. In conducting its work programme it will:
Improving Quality and Relevance of National Statistics
a. ensure that it is able to assess the needs of users;
b. consider and comment to Ministers on the high-level programme for National Statistics, drawing on the views of users
and suppliers, taking account of:
i. the resources available for National Statistics;
ii. the compliance costs of providers of raw data; and
iii. the management needs of organisations required to supply raw data. Proposals by the Commission or modification
of the National Statistics programme will be accompanied by a compliance cost assessment;
c. advise Ministers of areas of widespread concern about the quality of official statistics, so that Ministers can take these
considerations into account in determining priorities and making decisions about National Statistics;
Improving Public Confidence in National Statistics
d. comment on the application of the National Statistics Code of Practice and other procedures designed to promote
statistical integrity;
e. comment, as necessary, on the arrangements for promoting professional standards across all official statistical work;
f. comment on the quality assurance processes of National Statistics, as well as being able to carry out spot checks on
departmental or other audits of National Statistics, to advise the National Statistician of any areas of concern that merit
review and if necessary to carry out or commission its own audits;
g. respond to ad hoc requests from the Minister for National Statistics for advice on any matters related to National
Statistics subject to resource constraints;
h. review the need for statistical legislation after two years and report back to the Minister for National Statistics, and keep
the legislative framework under review thereafter;
Operate Efficiently
i. take account of compliance costs of responding to statistical enquiries and the need to secure value for money when
commenting on the proposed annual statistical work programme;
Co-ordination with Government
j. secure effective communication channels between the Commission and the Minister for National Statistics, and between
the Commission and the National Statistician; Devolution
k. advise Ministers on the effectiveness of the arrangements to ensure the consistency and co-ordination of statistics on a
UK-wide basis following devolution, as appropriate, and establish working relationships with devolved administrations as it,
and they, see fit.
Performance Reporting
l. submit an annual report to the Minister for National Statistics commenting on the annual report of the National Statistician
and on the way the Commission has fulfilled its remit.
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