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Census Directorate

Census Directorate is responsible for the planning and development of the processes required to conduct a national census and also for the production of statistical outputs.

The planned date for the next census in England and Wales is 27 March 2011. A census has been held in England and Wales every 10 years since 1801, with the exception of 1941. It is a count of all people and households and is the most complete source of information about the population that exists.

Census data are used by central and local government, health authorities, businesses and other organisations to target resources and to plan housing, education, health and transport services.

A rehearsal will take place on 11 October 2009 in approximately 110,000 households within Lancaster, Newham and Ynys Mon – Isle of Anglesey. This will test the processes and operational systems required for the Census in 2011. It will enable ONS to see how well people understand the proposed questions and how well questionnaire delivery, collection and processing arrangements work.

Demography and Regional Statistics Directorate (DRSD)

Demography and Regional Statistics Directorate (DRSD) produces authoritative and accessible statistics about the size and demography of the population. These statistics are one of the cornerstones of the UK's statistical infrastructure, and their accuracy affects the quality of many other indicators, both social and economic. The directorate's outputs are essential for those developing evidence-based policies in government, business and the voluntary sector, and for providing a window on society and social change. The directorate is also responsible for the census. The planned date for the next census is 27 March 2011, with a rehearsal involving 110,000 households in Lancaster, Newham and Ynys Mon (Anglesey) on 11 October 2009 to test out the census processes and see whether the proposed questions are understood.

Finance and Planning Directorate (FPD)

The Finance and Planning Directorate is responsible for resource planning and allocation, accounting for expenditure, payment of staff, facilities management and procurement. FPD provides a range of financial and planning support services to facilitate the delivery of The Office of National Statistics' (ONS) corporate business objectives.

Macroeconomics and Labour Market Directorate (MLD)

The Macroeconomics and Labour Market Directorate (MLD) looks at the overall economy and labour market in the UK. There are four divisions covering economic analysis at a national and regional level. The main aim of MLD is to provide trusted and authoritative statistics, while contributing to delivering successful re-engineered systems for national accounts and labour market data.

Methodology Directorate

Methodology Directorate provides the technical foundation for producing and analysing official statistics, and the methodological support for improving ONS surveys. As a result, National Statistics are built on a solid foundation of reliable innovative methodologies that command respect worldwide. The directorate has a quality assurance role in reviewing new methodology, a quality measurement role in assessing current methodology, and a quality improvement role in suggesting new approaches. Their mission is to reinforce the quality of National Statistics by leading in the development of survey and statistical methods and expert advice.

Registration and Corporate Services

Corporate Services underpins the work of the ONS by providing the key support functions of human resources management, communication, media relations and information management.

Social and Public Sector Analysis and Reporting Directorate (SAPSARD)

The Social and Public Sector Analysis and Reporting Directorate (SAPSARD) undertakes research into, and produces outputs on, key social issues and areas of political concern. These can be broadly categorised into three areas, which is reflected in the divisional structure: measurement of public services output and productivity; social and economic micro-analysis; and social and health analysis and reporting.

Surveys and Administrative Sources Directorate (Sources)

The Surveys and Administrative Sources is the largest directorate, and is formed of two groups and 10 divisions. It produces statistical reports from its surveys which are, in part, collected by field staff operating across the country. It also collects data through business questionnaires and administrative sources. The key objective of Sources is to produce statistical outputs from its surveys and administrative sources to agreed timetables, quality standards and cost. It is also responsible for a programme of development work on existing surveys which may arise from quality reviews, new EU regulations or enhancements agreed with customers.

National Statistics and Policy Group (NSPG)

The National Statistics Policy Group is the corporate centre of ONS. National Statistics Policy and International Division are part of this group, as is the National Statistician’s private office and the executive support team. NSPG supports Karen Dunnell in her roles as National Statistician, Director of ONS, and Head of the Government Statistical Service (GSS). The department provides assurance that the National Statistician is meeting her internal and external obligations, and supports strategic delivery in a number of key areas including international relations, stakeholder management, confidentiality and data-sharing. Since autumn 2005, NSPG has been heavily involved in work to create an Independent ONS and ensure a smooth transition from the present to future arrangements.