FOI REF: FOI-2023-1406
You asked
Under the FOI (2000) Act, may I ask for the granular data cross referenced with the various gender identities. 48,000 "Trans_man" 48,000 "Trans_woman" 30,000 "NonBinary" 18,319 other nonbinary with a different name (ie not sex specific) 117,767 Trans Gender | NB but nil "descriptor"
We said
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request.
We have interpreted "granular data" to refer to the write-in responses to the gender identity question in Census 2021 that were coded to the four classifications referred to in your request.
We are looking into how responses were coded as part of our ongoing research on gender identity. We cannot therefore provide the data in your request until this review has concluded.
Any outputs we produce containing these data will need to consider appropriate accompanying context and commentary to maximise public understanding of the data, ensure the information is formatted and presented appropriately, and to apply appropriate disclosure controls.
This process is required to ensure that we produce information that is high quality, valuable, and trustworthy, so ensuring that we continue to serve the public good. If we were to release this information prior to the completion of this process, we would run the risk of confusing rather than enhancing public understanding.
As a result, Section 22A (b)(i) and (b)(iii) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) is engaged, whereby the information requested was obtained in the course of conducting an ongoing programme of research, which we have a view to publish, and release prior to our planned schedule would prejudice the research programme itself and/or the organisation conducting the research.
This exemption is subject to a public interest test. We recognise the desirability of information being freely available and this is considered by ONS when publication schedules are set in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics. The need for timely data must be balanced against the practicalities of applying statistical skill and judgement to produce the high quality, assured data needed to inform decision-making, which requires time and space. If this balance is incorrectly applied, then we run the risk of decisions being based on inaccurate data, which is not in the public interest. This will have an impact on public trust in official statistics in a time when the accuracy of official statistics is more important to the public than ever before.