Britain’s most senior statistician has give up as head of the Workplace for Nationwide Statistics (ONS) within the wake of criticism of potential inaccuracies in a few of its financial information.
Sir Ian Diamond stated in an announcement he had resigned with quick impact “due to ongoing health issues”.
He had led the company for the previous 5 years, together with overseeing nationwide COVID figures throughout the pandemic.
Nevertheless, MPs and Financial institution of England officers have not too long ago criticised the ONS amid considerations over the reliability of a few of its information, notably its labour market survey.
The organisation’s figures, which cowl most facets of life and dying within the UK, are sometimes used to tell the federal government and public our bodies about how they need to allocate the usage of taxpayers’ cash.
The labour market survey is the UK’s official measure of how many individuals are in work, however response charges have plummeted and the general public physique has been compelled to transform it consequently, with the company anticipated to modify to a brand new mannequin by 2027.
The ONS additionally not too long ago launched modifications to the way it measures inflation. Such information influences the Financial institution of England’s selections on rates of interest, which in flip have an effect on the price of borrowing and financial savings.
In February, Sir Ian revealed he had been compelled to make £34m of cuts in recent times whereas going through “a number of inflationary pressures”.
The UK Statistics Authority stated Emma Rourke, deputy nationwide statistician for well being, inhabitants and strategies, would take his place till “longer-term arrangements” have been agreed.
In an announcement, Sir Ian stated: “It has been an honour and a privilege to lead the ONS over the past five-and-a-half years and I have been immensely proud of the prominent role that independent statistics and data have played in informing the critical decisions of the day.
“Sadly I’ve made the choice that, attributable to ongoing well being points, I’m unable to provide the dedication to the position of nationwide statistician that I wish to and really feel that it’s the proper time for any individual else to select up the baton.”
