Communications regarding crime statistics

Release date:
30 June 2015

You asked

This is an FOI request for the UK Statistics Authority.

Please provide me with all communications in calendar year 2014 between the Authority and the Scottish Government (and vice-versa), on the subject of the Scottish Government’s Recorded Crime Statistics from 2012/13.

We said

Please find all correspondence in the attached table.

These communications are centred around the UK Statistics Authority's assessment of Police Recorded Crime Statistics. Assessments represent the process by which the Authority decides whether or not a particular set of statistics merit the National Statistics designation. National Statistics status means that statistics meet the highest standards of trustworthiness, quality and value. The assessment of Police Recorded Crime in Scotland was triggered by the Authority's analysis of the similar statistics in England and Wales, which led to the removal of the National Statistics designation for England and Wales. You will see from the communications that the assessment for Scotland followed the normal model we adopt: we approached the producer (in this case the Scottish Government) to inform them of the assessment and discuss logistics; we required evidence from them to demonstrate compliance with the Code; we analysed this evidence and undertook follow up queries; we discussed this evidence and presented our proposed decision to the Authority's Regulation Committee; and then we published our assessment report, which can be found here (Assessment Report 288)

Section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act has been used to exempt personal information, specifically names of junior officials (those below Senior Civil Service grade), email addresses, telephone numbers and other instances such as dates of personal annual leave.

Section 36(2)(c) of the Freedom of Information Act has been used to exempt copies of the draft report on Scottish Crime Statistics and some sections of the correspondence below that either quoted from, or referred directly to, the content of those draft reports. This exemption is engaged because in the reasonable opinion of the National Statistician (the 'qualified person'), whose views were sought, disclosure of this material would, or would be likely to, prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs. In order to use this exemption the public interest test was considered. In favour of disclosure we acknowledge that being open regarding decision making can lead to greater trust in government and, sometimes, better decisions. Weighed against that is the fact that officials require a safe space to air views and opinions on certain matters, and that without this they would not be able to undertake the candid and rigorous assessments required in a review such as this. As the final version of the report is already in the public domain UKSA is of the view that release of the drafts would not benefit public discussion or interest in this matter enough to warrant disclosure.

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