The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is reviewing the release times for its market-sensitive economic statistics. The review will consider whether the current arrangements continue to best serve the public good, support user needs and align with the principles of trustworthiness, quality and value set out in the Code of Practice for Statistics.
Most official statistics are released at 09:30 in line with the Code of Practice for Statistics. Since March 2020, ONS market-sensitive economic statistics have been released at an alternative release time of 07:00, as requested under the Code of Practice for Statistics and agreed by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). This alternative time was originally a response to the practical restrictions and increased risk brought on by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, including the need to suspend secure "lock-in" briefings for accredited newswires.
The ONS committed to review the case for a 07:00 release time by the end of 2026, and to gather a wide range of user views as part of that review. This consultation will inform a recommendation about future release times for market-sensitive economic statistics and whether the ONS continues to request an alternative release time (that is, any time other than 09:30) to the OSR.
To view and respond to the consultation, go to the Consultation on release times for market sensitive economic statistics page.
The closing date is 30 October 2026.