Survey control
Aims
Survey Control Unit (SCU) aims to promote good survey practice, prevent poor quality or unnecessary surveys and ensure that respondent load is measured and minimised. It is independent of areas that conduct surveys and it serves to ensure that survey control procedures are followed by all parts of government, including ONS. Particular emphasis is placed by the SCU on ensuring that:
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new survey proposals are clearly justified
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alternative sources are thoroughly examined
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regular surveys are subject to periodic review, and
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the respondent load is clearly measured and minimised
Benefits
Continued implementation of the Prime Minister's instructions will ensure that burden on data providers is minimised and the promotion of survey best practice will continue across Government.
Progress
As a result of the cross-government Administrative Burden Reduction Project, completed in 2006, government departments were set targets to reduce burden. The consistent measurement of burden across government was based on a Standard Cost Model introduced by the Dutch and now commonly used throughout Europe. SCU are currently piloting this new methodology within ONS before roll-out across the rest of the Government Statistical Service.
SCU also continue to monitor the administrative burden costs placed on business and local authorities by producing the Annual Government Statistical Surveys report.
