Consultation on Changes to ONS Products 2015

As set out in the UK Statistics Authority’s Business Plan 2016 – 2020, we are transforming into a modern, data-driven organisation capable and equipped to give the UK the statistics it needs. To achieve this, we need to radically change how we deliver our products and services and improve our capability.

To enable us to change, we must reduce the cost of our current operations. Following the recent spending review, ONS is seeking operational efficiency savings of 19% by 2019/20, in order to free up resources for transformation. To meet this challenge, we are focused on making our core operations and back-office functions as efficient as possible, meeting our statutory obligations and producing high quality products and services at a lower cost. It is inevitable, given the scale of the challenge, we will have to do some things differently, stop some statistical work or scale back where products are not adding the maximum value for money.

From 13 December 2015 to 8 February 2016, we consulted on a number of options for how we would potentially scale back our existing operations. These were specific changes to our statistical outputs and services which, although important, represent a small proportion of the overall efficiency savings we will make through continuous improvement.

Your feedback has been invaluable in helping us understand how we can make the necessary changes with as little impact on users as possible and to improve our statistics and products. Thank you for your time and contributions.

We have now published our response to the consultation, which includes a summary of what you told us and the actions we are taking as a result. As stated in the original consultation, we have also published all individual responses with contact details removed. If you have any queries or feedback about this consultation please email ons.communications@ons.gov.uk, or call 0845 601 3034.