The control and ‘fitness for purpose’ of UK official statistics

2019 ◽  
pp. 119-132
Author(s):  
David Rhind
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Official Statistics ◽  
Politics And Government ◽  
The Public ◽  
Economic Statistics ◽  
Institutional Structures ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Government Statistics ◽  
The Impact

This chapter describes the evolution of UK Official Statistics over an 80 year period under the influence of personalities, politics and government policies, new user needs and changing technology. These have led to changing institutional structures – such as the Statistics Commission - and periodic oscillations in what statistics are created and the ease of their accessibility by the public. The chapter concludes with the impact of the first major statistical legislation for 60 years, particularly as a consequence of its creation of the UK Statistics Authority. This has included major investment in quality assurance of National and Official Statistics and in professional resourcing. These changes are very welcome, as is the statutory specification of government statistics as a public good by the 2007 Statistics and Registration Service Act. But problems of access to some data sets and the pre-release of key economic statistics to selected groups of users remain. Given the widespread societal consequences of the advent of new technologies, what we collect and how we do it will inevitably continue to change rapidly.

scholarly journals The Study of Religion in the UK in its Institutional Context

2017 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-57
Author(s):  
Kim Knott
Keyword(s):  
Public Funding ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Institutional Pressures ◽  
The Public ◽  
Institutional Structures ◽  
Institutional Contexts ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract How has the study of religion in the UK been shaped by its institutional contexts? Consideration is given to the Christian and secular foundations of universities and higher education colleges, the relationship of theology and religious studies, and the impact of institutional structures and drivers associated with teaching and research. The formation of ‘TRS’ as an instrumental and contested subject area is discussed, as is the changing curriculum. Research on religion is examined in relation to new institutional pressures and opportunities: the assessment of university research and the public funding of research. The importance of the impact agenda and capacity building are illustrated.

scholarly journals The Living Wage: An Economic Geography Based Explanation for a Policy for Equality

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 589-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo J. Morelli ◽  
Paul T. Seaman
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Living Wage ◽  
Labour Force Survey ◽  
The Public ◽  
Household Inequality ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Wage Demand ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Low Pay

This article examines the theoretical underpinning of living wage campaigns. The article uses evidence, derived from the UK Quarterly Labour Force Survey from 2005 to 2008, to examine the extent to which a living wage will address low pay within the labour force. We highlight the greater incidence of low pay within the private sector and then focus upon the public sector where the living wage demand has had most impact. The article builds upon the results from the Quarterly Labour Force Survey with analysis of the British Household Panel Survey in 2007 in order to examine the impact that the introduction of a living wage, within the public sector, would have in reducing household inequality.

scholarly journals Social Impact Archaeology: Pontefract Castle and the Gatehouse Project

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brendon Wilkins
Keyword(s):  
Social Impact ◽  
Social Values ◽  
Theory Of Change ◽  
The Public ◽  
Evidence Framework ◽  
Standards Of Evidence ◽  
Professional Field ◽  
Collaborative Platform ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Archaeology is said to add value to development, creating a deeper sense of place, community identity as well as improving health and wellbeing. Accentuating these wider social values has been welcomed by a profession keen to broaden its public relevance and legitimacy and protect its seat at the table in modern cultural life, but how much, if at all, do the public actually benefit from developer-led archaeology? Benefits to individuals and communities from archaeology projects are often abstract, intangible and difficult to attribute, and the discipline arguably lacks a satisfactory frame of reference around which it can express and design for these additional social values. Drawing on the language of social impact investing, this article will explore how the UK-based collaborative platform, DigVentures, has addressed this challenge. It introduces a 'Theory of Change' and 'Standards of Evidence' framework to account for the impact of development-led archaeology programmes, illustrating the causal links between activity and change through the case of the Pontefract Castle Gatehouse Project. It is complemented by a short documentary film exploring the spectrum of digital and physical opportunities for participation by the public alongside a team of highly experienced professional field archaeologists, demonstrating how development-led archaeology can be designed to accomplish far more than answer a planning brief.

scholarly journals Measuring and Communicating the Uncertainty in Official Economic Statistics

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-316
Author(s):  
Gian Luigi Mazzi ◽  
James Mitchell ◽  
Florabela Carausu
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Historical Perspective ◽  
Data Uncertainty ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Official Statistics ◽  
Economic Statistics ◽  
Nonsampling Errors

Abstract Official economic statistics are uncertain even if not always interpreted or treated as such. From a historical perspective, this article reviews different categorisations of data uncertainty, specifically the traditional typology that distinguishes sampling from nonsampling errors and a newer typology of Manski (2015). Throughout, the importance of measuring and communicating these uncertainties is emphasised, as hard as it can prove to measure some sources of data uncertainty, especially those relevant to administrative and big data sets. Accordingly, this article both seeks to encourage further work into the measurement and communication of data uncertainty in general and to introduce the Comunikos (COMmunicating UNcertainty In Key Official Statistics) project at Eurostat. Comunikos is designed to evaluate alternative ways of measuring and communicating data uncertainty specifically in contexts relevant to official economic statistics.

Measuring the Macroeconomic Effects of Reducing Benefit Dependency

2003 ◽  
Vol 186 ◽  
pp. 85-97
Author(s):  
Ray Barrell ◽  
Simon Kirby ◽  
Rebecca Riley ◽  
Desirée van Welsum
Keyword(s):  
Model Simulation ◽  
Income Support ◽  
Disability Benefits ◽  
The Public ◽  
Lone Parents ◽  
Macroeconomic Impact ◽  
Macroeconomic Effects ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Social Security Benefits ◽  
The Impact

We construct a framework for evaluating the macroeconomic impact on the UK economy of policies that are aimed at reducing the number of people receiving social security benefits by helping them into employment. By means of model simulation we evaluate the gains to the economy in terms of output, employment and improvements to the public finances of a policy that reduces the number of people claiming disability benefits or lone parents on Income Support by 5 per cent. These gains can be regarded as significant and have to be offset against the costs of the policy. We conclude that it is possible to evaluate the impact of policies to enable benefit claimants to find work using a macroeconomic model, and that such an evaluation should be included in each assessment of policy change.

Back to basics: fighting fraud and austerity

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-227
Author(s):  
Kwabena Frimpong
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Financial Crime ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Reference Guide ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Resource Capacity

Purpose – This article aims to focus on the impact of the current austerity measures on UK public sector anti-fraud and financial crime investigative resource capacity building initiative developed over the years to tackle fraud against the public purse. Design/methodology/approach – The article draws on secondary sources of data and available literature on fraud and financial crime. Findings – Fraud is a challenge in the UK public sector but the cut-back on anti-fraud and financial crime investigative resources, given the scale of public sector fraud, the growing emphasis on accountability and the time of austerity with public money more exposed to fraud is arguably a back-door/u-turn policy on zero-tolerance approach in tackling public sector fraud and financial crime. There is the potential of this encouraging more fraud and financial crime against the public sector in the long term if measures are not taken to devise strategies for enhancing anti-fraud and financial crime investigative resource capacity. Research limitations/implications – The research implication for this article is that it opens an avenue for future studies to examine post austerity strategies for strengthening public sector anti-fraud and financial crime investigative resource strategies to deal with emerging fraud threats to UK public sector. Practical implications – This article acts as a reference guide for policymakers to reflect on the long-term adverse impact of the austerity on anti-fraud and financial crime investigative resource capacity and capability in tackling fraud public sector fraud. Originality/value – The paper attempts to present an alternative lens to examining the scale of UK public sector fraud problem rather than relying on headline story of declining fraud in UK.

scholarly journals Positive practices of the catering industry of the Russian Federation in the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 101-108
Author(s):  
E. V. Burdenko ◽  
G. V. Korolev
Keyword(s):  
Russian Federation ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Statistical Data ◽  
The Public ◽  
Vending Machines ◽  
Catering Industry ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
Public Catering ◽  
Positive Practices ◽  
The Impact

The novelty of the study is the generalization and analysis of statistical data obtained as a result of various sociological and scientific studies on the impact of the COV-ID-19 pandemic on the activities of the public catering sector in the Russian Federation. The authors carried out a study of positive practices that allowed the industry enterprises to continue to operate in self-isolation and improve financial results with the easing of restrictions. Among them are simplified terms for renting premises; sale of finished products by delivery to the direct consumer or pickup; non-standard formats of catering enterprises; restoration of demand for catering; application of new technologies in the process of cooking; introduction of vending machines in the catering industry; cooperation of catering enterprises with the tourism business.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a patient and public involvement training programme for researchers at a large biomedical research centre in the UK

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. e047995
Author(s):  
Rosamund Yu ◽  
Bec Hanley ◽  
Simon Denegri ◽  
Jaber Ahmed ◽  
Nicholas J McNally
Keyword(s):  
Biomedical Research ◽  
Public Involvement ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Patient And Public Involvement ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Major Research ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

ObjectivesTo design, deliver and evaluate a programme of training workshops for biomedical researchers aimed at building confidence and skills in actively involving patients and the public (PPI) in research.DesignA bespoke programme of training workshops in PPI aimed at researchers.SettingA large National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre in London and several partner organisations.Participants721 scientists, clinicians and research managers attending dedicated training in PPI at a major London NHS (National Health Service)–university partnership.InterventionsA programme of 72 training workshops, designed to build practical skills and confidence for researchers working with patients and the public in research, was delivered at a major research-active NHS:university partnership. An iterative approach was taken to the programme, with the content of the workshops continually reviewed and refreshed to respond to the needs of researchers. Surveys before, immediately following and 6 months after training investigated the impact on researchers’ confidence and skills in PPI work, and the kind of PPI they subsequently carried out.ResultsTraining brought about immediate marked increases in researchers’ self-reported confidence to carry out PPI activities within their research, and in their knowledge of good practice. The evaluation indicates that workshop attendees were more likely to involve patients in their research following training. Researchers tended to involve patients and the public in a range of areas, including input to study design and patient information, in particular.ConclusionsWhen positioned within a broader organisational strategy for PPI in research, such training has an important role to play in progressing PPI in a major research partnership. Training appeared to provide the confidence needed to carry out PPI which enabled further development of confidence and skills. Involving researchers who have attended the training in the ongoing development of the programme and bringing in patients to the training programme are key next steps.

scholarly journals Time-use and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a panel analysis of 55,204 adults followed across 11 weeks of lockdown in the UK

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feifei Bu ◽  
Andrew Steptoe ◽  
Hei Wan Mak ◽  
Daisy Fancourt
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Time Use ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Panel Study ◽  
Social Study ◽  
Panel Analysis ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

There is currently major concern about the impact of the global COVID 19 outbreak on mental health. But it remains unclear how individual behaviors could exacerbate or protect against adverse changes in mental health. This study aimed to examine the associations between specific activities (or time use) and mental health and wellbeing amongst people during the COVID 19 pandemic. Data were from the UCL COVID 19 Social Study; a panel study collecting data weekly during the COVID 19 pandemic. The analytical sample consisted of 55,204 adults living in the UK who were followed up for the strict 11 week lockdown period from 21st March to 31st May 2020. Data were analyzed using fixed effects and Arellano Bond models. We found that changes in time spent on a range of activities were associated with changes in mental health and wellbeing. After controlling for bidirectionality, behaviors involving outdoor activities including gardening and exercising predicted subsequent improvements in mental health and wellbeing, while increased time spent on following news about COVID 19 predicted declines in mental health and wellbeing. These results are relevant to the formulation of guidance for people obliged to spend extended periods in isolation during health emergencies, and may help the public to maintain wellbeing during future pandemics.

scholarly journals Is there an I in Impact? Considering the two-way process of public engagement.

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-93
Author(s):  
Isabelle Heyerick
Keyword(s):  
Sign Language ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Public Engagement ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Recent Experience ◽  
Personal Beliefs ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Society Research

This article is a critical reflection on public engagement and the concept of impact in UK research institutions, based on a recent experience. The UK impact agenda, driven by the Research Excellence Framework (REF), requires researchers to engage with the public in order to potentially have an impact on society.  This, I argue, constitutes the implicit directionality of impact as a one-way process. Recently, I provided a workshop for Flemish Sign Language (VGT) interpreters entitled ‘I interpret, therefore I am’ at the Faculty of Arts of the KU Leuven (Antwerp, Belgium). The aim of the workshop, in line with the impact agenda, was to increase participants’ awareness about the interpreting process and change their perception of how an interpreter’s personal beliefs potentially influence his/her linguistic choices. However, interacting with the participants also had an impact on my current research design and me as a researcher. This particular experience led me to reconsider the implicit idea of impact as a one-way process. In what follows I argue that, impact can and - in my opinion - should be a two-way process, encouraging interaction with the public in order to have a valuable impact on society, research and the researcher.

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