Simon Briscoe

Looking at the many #data issues in the @ONS and inquiries into @UKStatsAuth it's clear that the governance structure has failed and needs to be replaced. Here's one proposal. #statistics simonbriscoeblog.wordpress.com/2025/09/15/a-n…

Sum up by @Simon4NDorset @CommonsPACAC "utter befuddlement" that @UKStatsAuth "has slipped into the hole it has slipped". Can it get out? He will be "discussing it with CO and ministers" - not just a "review and reclaibration" but need to review the "skeleton of the @ONS.

£220m spent (did I hear that right?) by @ONS on IDS since 2020. Goodness me. At least we still have a "tool bench" (!) says @MrsRourke1 so not all bad ......... PS no idea what a tool bench is.

Need to return to the claim that @cabinetofficeuk interfered in publication of data in PQs - 11.40 on parliamentlive.tv/event/index/97… - @MrsRourke1 usual tangential denail

"Ministers can't interfere with numbers" says Chote chair of @UKStatsAuth but we know they do determine what is collected and what is released. #sidestep

Can @ONS recover asks @John2Win. @MrsRourke1 says "organisation is deeply challenged", "lot of emotion and concern has been expressed" but no answers - we/users can see that the plans won't work.

11.32 onwards .... does @MrsRourke1 ever answer yes or no to a question? @UKStatsAuth @CommonsPACAC No more HR and management waffle please. parliamentlive.tv/event/index/97…

"Who makes decisions about switching resources" between data asks MP @John2Win. "Accounting officers" says @MrsRourke1. Really? Is that the best way to describe the national statistician - ie her, now? @CommonsPACAC @UKStatsAuth

"Going nuclear" phrase from others repeated by @sam_carling_ of @CommonsPACAC when he asks why @UKStatsAuth board seems never to go all the way when issues arise. #tiptoe

@sam_carling_ of @CommonsPACAC asks when and how external stakeholders were being consulted as @UKStatsAuth progressed #TLFS (labour force survey) changes. @ONS to send a note.

@sam_carling_ of @CommonsPACAC asks when @UKStatsAuth board knew there were problems with #TLFS (labour force survey). Chote notes May 2024 mtg when longer period of dual running was needed. Still no deadline for new data - hopes for Nov 2026.

The @StatsRegulation line of "good plan but lots to do" is accepted without challenge by @CommonsPACAC and @YuanfenYang. It's obvious that all witnesses are much happier on this stuff. Qu: will anyone believe that existing management can deliver any of the plans given the past?

Breathing space for @UKStatsAuth in gruelling @CommonsPACAC session as @YuanfenYang (Labour MP and guest from @CommonsTreasury) asks about economic data. Important - but a side show for today.

Slight slip from Chote on who are regulars at @UKStatsAuth board meetings - it's been NatStat and deputy (ie @MrsRourke1) for ages I thought, not function heads as he said. Richard Quigley MP "staggered that there's no one responsible for people at board meetings"

"How many reviews do you need?" asks @Simon4NDorset chair of @CommonsPACAC to @UKStatsAuth chair Chote to explain that problems exist. @Simon4NDorset adds "reputation dragged so low by resting on laurels" .... "devastating"

"How can an organisation have been run like that?" asks @Simon4NDorset chair of @CommonsPACAC about @UKStatsAuth - seems to have been run like "a Tudor court" he says to Chote

"It was some time ago and action had been taken" is Sir Robert Chote's take on the response of @ons senior management to concerns raised by the @UKStatsAuth board. This is a very common theme to all @ons responses to all criticism over many years. @UKStatsAuth also uses the line!

Poor old @UKStatsAuth at @CommonsPACAC - it's now the turn of @sam_carling_ MP to ask some questions. Sit tight.

Worth watching @CommonsPACAC from 10.35. @PeterKLamb now asking questions of @MrsRourke1 There are no answers about what has happened (or not) in the last two years that she or @ONS senior management can give to save itself. parliamentlive.tv/event/index/97…

Well done @CommonsPACAC - @PeterKLamb MP now picking up the baton on project management. Clearly it was a disaster in @ONS. @MrsRourke1 claims that things are so much better in the last 12-18 months (did she say "recovered"?). Incredible - not obvious as a user!