Many argue that independence should be enshrined in the national constitution. In the UK, the creation of National Statistics and a Statistical Commission has gone some way to resolve the independence issue, but not entirely. Statistics are too powerful for politicians in many countries to feel comfortable about total independence. The aim was to focus the debate on how best to ensure high quality statistics that meet the requirements of users, are efficiently produced, and are compiled and presented in a way that is clearly free from political interference. The Government s goal is to enhance the integrity, both actual and perceived, of official statistics.
Quality needs to be assured.
Official statistics must be sufficiently accurate and reliable for the purposes for which they are required. Efficiency is important here, too, since quality has to be achieved within what is affordable both in terms of direct cost and in terms of minimising burdens on businesses and other data suppliers. The production and presentation of official statistics needs to be free from political interference, and to be seen as such, so that the professional objectivity and impartiality of statistics is assured. Priorities must be driven by the requirements of all users Parliament, government and the wider community. The same problem of independence from political power is present in the European institutions.