Fast Stream gets biggest ever number of applicants Exclusive
26 Sep Statistics

Fast Stream gets biggest ever number of applicants

More than 70,000 apply for 2025 Fast Stream intake, newly-published data shows
by Tevye Markson
Statistics regulator calls for greater transparency in government comms
20 Nov Statistics
Statistics regulator calls for greater transparency in government comms
HMRC: Statistics regulator to examine recent ‘high-profile errors’
17 Nov Statistics
HMRC: Statistics regulator to examine recent ‘high-profile errors’
ONS to narrow focus and reduce output by 10%
12 Nov Statistics
ONS to narrow focus and reduce output by 10%
ONS makes ‘milestone’ move to boost trust in government data
07 Dec 2020 Statistics
ONS makes ‘milestone’ move to boost trust in government data
Statistics body floats quality framework to help departments improve their data use
‘The opportunity to have organisations of all types publishing data to common standards is really exciting’: why stats regulators' new award matters
21 Oct 2020 Statistics
‘The opportunity to have organisations of all types publishing data to common standards is really exciting’: why stats regulators' new award matters
The first ever award to recognise the voluntary application of the Office for Statistics Regulation code has been awarded jointly to MHCLG and the Scottish Fiscal Commission, with UCAS named highly commended.
Interview: UK national statistician on how data has helped government – and the public – in coronavirus response
20 Oct 2020 Statistics
Interview: UK national statistician on how data has helped government – and the public – in coronavirus response
To mark World Statistics Day, Professor Sir Ian Diamond reveals how the work of statisticians has been crucial in supporting government’s pandemic response, as well as his thoughts on the media and politicians’ use of numbers
National Data Strategy promises to ‘tackle government culture of risk aversion’
14 Sep 2020 Statistics
National Data Strategy promises to ‘tackle government culture of risk aversion’
Document sets out ‘transforming government’s use of data’ as one of five missions
Interview: Royal Statistical Society chief Stian Westlake on Covid-19, the A-Level row, and his ‘very geeky’ favourite stat
04 Sep 2020 Statistics
Interview: Royal Statistical Society chief Stian Westlake on Covid-19, the A-Level row, and his ‘very geeky’ favourite stat
If the government has learned one thing from Ofqual's handling of A-Level results, it's that transparency is critical to quality and public trust, the former spad tells Beckie Smith.
A-Level row: 'It's unlikely we could ever have delivered this policy successfully,' Ofqual chair says
03 Sep 2020 Statistics
A-Level row: 'It's unlikely we could ever have delivered this policy successfully,' Ofqual chair says
Roger Taylor said it was Gavin Williamson's decision to use algorithm, but Ofqual is "ultimately responsible for the decisions that fall to us".
A-Level row: Stats society criticises Ofqual's 'desperate' defence of NDA that 'would have gagged experts for five years'
25 Aug 2020 Statistics
A-Level row: Stats society criticises Ofqual's 'desperate' defence of NDA that 'would have gagged experts for five years'
Watchdog chair says RSS caused “misunderstanding and suspicion of Ofqual’s process” after experts refused to sign gagging clause
DfE gives full backing to Ofqual over A-Level and GCSE grade fiasco after Gavin Williamson refused to
20 Aug 2020 Statistics
DfE gives full backing to Ofqual over A-Level and GCSE grade fiasco after Gavin Williamson refused to
DfE says it has "full confidence" in exam regulator as it emerges the department was warned the grading system could lead to incorrect results
Stats regulator to review Ofqual algorithm used to award A-Level grades
19 Aug 2020 Statistics
Stats regulator to review Ofqual algorithm used to award A-Level grades
OSR will consider exam regulators' compliance with its Code of Practice for Statistics, after government U-turn on results
A-Level algorithm row: Ofqual snubbed offer of help from experts unwilling to sign NDA
17 Aug 2020 Statistics
A-Level algorithm row: Ofqual snubbed offer of help from experts unwilling to sign NDA
Qualifications regulator said independent statisticians must sign gagging clause to be considered for advisory group
John Manzoni: how to help government use data analytics to fight fraud
05 Aug 2019 Statistics
John Manzoni: how to help government use data analytics to fight fraud

John Manzoni highlights the progress being made on the use of data as an asset to counter fraud, and invites civil servants and all interested sectors to share and contribute to a government thought paper on how to do more
Civil service introduces 15,000-strong analysis function
21 Mar 2018 Statistics
Civil service introduces 15,000-strong analysis function

ONS reveals new profession for analysts and data scientists after being challenged by Sir Jeremy Heywood to become more visible