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Autonomy of National Statistical Offices

Autonomy of National Statistical Offices. Dennis Trewin. UN Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics. Provides the framework (adopted by UNSC in 1995)

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Autonomy of National Statistical Offices

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  1. Autonomy of National Statistical Offices Dennis Trewin

  2. UN Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics • Provides the framework (adopted by UNSC in 1995) • Principle 1.Official statistics provide an indispensable element in the information system of a democratic society, serving the Government, the economy and the public with data about the economic, demographic, social and environmental situation. To this end, official statistics that meet the test of practical utility are to be compiled and made available on an impartial basis by official statistical agencies to honor citizens' entitlement to public information.Principle 2.To retain trust in official statistics, the statistical agencies need to decide according to strictly professional considerations, including scientific principles and professional ethics, on the methods and procedures for the collection, processing, storage and presentation of statistical data.

  3. IMF Special Data Dissemination Standards • IMF’s Special Data Dissemination Standards stress the importance of the integrity of official statistics (and a supporting legal and institutional framework) • Seen as part of good governance • Can be examined in ROSC reviews (if looking for an IMF view on the existing system)

  4. Why is it important? • For governments • In the interest of government to have access to good quality, trustworthy statistics • Trust in governments increases if their performance is measured by a trusted source • Policy intervention based on fact not anecdotes (as happens with macroeconomic policy) • Government are one step removed from the official statistics (giving them more freedom in how to respond)

  5. Why is it important? • For others • Facilitates good decision making • Citizens know what is happening (in a democracy this enables them to act in an informed way)

  6. What are some of the key elements of autonomy? • Authority to decide statistical methods • Ability to determine what to publish • Independence to determine release dates • Authority to approve of Publications (without also seeking political approval) • Public knowledge of pre-embargo access arrangements

  7. Responsibility come with autonomy • Public accountability through annual reports, etc • Some key decisions may need to be publicly explained • There may need to be public consultation before some decisions are made • Some decisions may not please Ministers!

  8. Autonomy of ABS • Widely accepted as the right way of doing things by all political parties, the media and the public • Specified in law • Government can direct ABS to conduct statistical collections and determines budgets – no other legal authorities • ABS still treats Government as its most important client! • Pre-release is provided for selected statistics

  9. UK National Statistics Code of Practice • Resulted as a consequence of public inquiry (“A Matter of Trust”) because of deep mistrust of objectivity of official statistics • Key elements • Integrity (At all stages in the production and dissemination of official statistics, the public interest should prevail over organisational, political or personal interests) • Relevance • Sound methodolgy and assured quality

  10. UK National Statistics Code of Practice (continued) • Value for money • Communication (Statistics and information about statistical processes should be published in a form convenient to users and in much detail as practicable) • Accessibility • Confidentiality (Should not be used for non-statistical purposes) • Burden on respondents should be proportionate to the value of statistics • Adequate resources

  11. Case Study - Mexico • Have recently changed legislation to increase autonomy (reference – Journal of IAOS) • Driving force was political – perception was that Government manipulated elections and key statistical information to its own convenience • A number of autonomous agencies were introduced (Central Bank, Elections Institute, Human Rights Commission, Institute for Access to Information, Chief Auditor, NSS)

  12. Mexico (continued) • New law established the rules of organisation and operation of NSS (known as INEGI) in accordance with principles of accessibility, transparency, objectivity and independence • Supported by Governing Board • Although increase in autonomy was politically driven, the design of the NSS was put in place by INEGI

  13. Issues for Discussion • What are the main concerns about the lack of authority? • How do you resist inappropriate requests by governments?

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