FOI reference: FOI-2024-2419
You asked
I would like to request the Mid Year population estimates by Lower Super Output Area (LSOA), sex and single year of age (2021 definition) for 2023.
The output should be as the routine release of these estimates.
We said
Thank you for your request.
Mid-year population estimates by LSOA, sex and single year of age for mid-2023 is planned for future publication. As such, Section 22(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 applies (whereby information is exempt from release if there is a view to publish the information in the future).
As a central government department and producer of official statistics, we need to have the freedom to be able to determine our own publication timetables. This is to allow us to deal with the necessary preparation, administration and context of publications. It would be unreasonable to consider disclosure when to do so would undermine our functions.
This exemption is subject to a public interest test. We recognise the desirability of information being freely available and this is considered by the 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. If this balance is incorrectly applied, then we run the risk of decisions being based on inaccurate data which is arguably not in the public interest. This will have an impact on public trust in official statistics in a time when accuracy of official statistics is more important to the public than ever before.
The only mid-2023 population estimates available at present are for national (UK) and local authority geographies (England and Wales) only. They are available from the following pages on the ONS website:
- Estimates of the population for the UK, England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland
- Estimates of the population for England and Wales
Our publishing schedule for "Population estimates by output areas, electoral, health and other geographies, England and Wales: mid-2023" release will be updated in our ONS Release Calendar.
If you need anything else, please do not hesitate to contact us at pop.info@ons.gov.uk.