The Briefing Room Is the UK in a data crisis?
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Oct 20, 2025 
In this insightful discussion, Georgina Sturge, a research affiliate at Oxford, delves into the history of UK censuses and their profound impact on policy-making. Denise Lievesley, former Principal of Green Templeton College, explains how the ONS manages survey data and its governance. Chris Giles, an economics commentator, highlights critical data quality issues affecting labor statistics. Peter Lynn, a professor of survey methodology, reveals alarming drops in survey response rates and suggests tailored solutions to enhance public participation. The urgency to address these challenges is palpable!
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19th-Century Census Revealed Hidden Work
- Georgina Sturge recounts how 19th-century censuses shifted from household to individual records.
- That change revealed hidden labour patterns like women's predominance in domestic service and child labour.
No Population Register Makes Sampling Harder
- The UK lacks a population register, forcing surveys to sample by address and then identify occupants.
- That sampling frame makes representative surveying harder and increases reliance on in-person contact.
UK Faces A Data-Quality Crisis
- The UK faces a data-quality crisis where key ONS statistics may not reflect reality.
- Labour market and inflation-related surveys show contradictions and large revisions, undermining trust.
