Simon Briscoe

Love statistics - esp economics & public policy. Ex @octaipipe, @timetric (data start-up), @FT, inv banks, @hmtreasury. @RoyalStatSoc @fullfact

[Simon Briscoe @simonbriscoe]

Looking at the many #data issues in the @ONS and inquiries into @UKStatsAuth it's clear that the governance structure has failed and needs to be replaced. Here's one proposal. #statistics https://t.co/UAG2m4stUx

[Simon Briscoe @simonbriscoe]

Sum up by @Simon4NDorset @CommonsPACAC "utter befuddlement" that @UKStatsAuth "has slipped into the hole it has slipped". Can it get out? He will be "discussing it with CO and ministers" - not just a "review and reclaibration" but need to review the "skeleton of the @ONS.

[Simon Briscoe @simonbriscoe]

£220m spent (did I hear that right?) by @ONS on IDS since 2020. Goodness me. At least we still have a "tool bench" (!) says @MrsRourke1 so not all bad ......... PS no idea what a tool bench is.

[Simon Briscoe @simonbriscoe]

Need to return to the claim that @cabinetofficeuk interfered in publication of data in PQs - 11.40 on https://t.co/hdEb5LprfY - @MrsRourke1 usual tangential denail

[Simon Briscoe @simonbriscoe]

"Ministers can't interfere with numbers" says Chote chair of @UKStatsAuth but we know they do determine what is collected and what is released. #sidestep

[Simon Briscoe @simonbriscoe]

Can @ONS recover asks @John2Win. @MrsRourke1
says "organisation is deeply challenged", "lot of emotion and concern has been expressed" but no answers - we/users can see that the plans won't work.

[Simon Briscoe @simonbriscoe]

11.32 onwards .... does @MrsRourke1 ever answer yes or no to a question? @UKStatsAuth @CommonsPACAC No more HR and management waffle please. https://t.co/hdEb5LoTqq

[Simon Briscoe @simonbriscoe]

"Who makes decisions about switching resources" between data asks MP @John2Win. "Accounting officers" says @MrsRourke1. Really? Is that the best way to describe the national statistician - ie her, now? @CommonsPACAC @UKStatsAuth

[Simon Briscoe @simonbriscoe]

"Going nuclear" phrase from others repeated by @sam_carling_ of @CommonsPACAC when he asks why @UKStatsAuth board seems never to go all the way when issues arise. #tiptoe

[Simon Briscoe @simonbriscoe]

@sam_carling_ of @CommonsPACAC asks when and how external stakeholders were being consulted as @UKStatsAuth progressed #TLFS (labour force survey) changes. @ONS to send a note.

[Simon Briscoe @simonbriscoe]

@sam_carling_ of @CommonsPACAC asks when @UKStatsAuth board knew there were problems with #TLFS (labour force survey). Chote notes May 2024 mtg when longer period of dual running was needed. Still no deadline for new data - hopes for Nov 2026.

[Simon Briscoe @simonbriscoe]

The @StatsRegulation line of "good plan but lots to do" is accepted without challenge by @CommonsPACAC and @YuanfenYang. It's obvious that all witnesses are much happier on this stuff. Qu: will anyone believe that existing management can deliver any of the plans given the past?

[Simon Briscoe @simonbriscoe]

Breathing space for @UKStatsAuth in gruelling @CommonsPACAC session as @YuanfenYang (Labour MP and guest from @CommonsTreasury) asks about economic data. Important - but a side show for today.

[Simon Briscoe @simonbriscoe]

Slight slip from Chote on who are regulars at @UKStatsAuth board meetings - it's been NatStat and deputy (ie @MrsRourke1) for ages I thought, not function heads as he said. Richard Quigley MP "staggered that there's no one responsible for people at board meetings"

[Simon Briscoe @simonbriscoe]

"How many reviews do you need?" asks @Simon4NDorset chair of @CommonsPACAC to
@UKStatsAuth chair Chote to explain that problems exist. @Simon4NDorset adds "reputation dragged so low by resting on laurels" .... "devastating"

[Simon Briscoe @simonbriscoe]

"How can an organisation have been run like that?" asks @Simon4NDorset chair of @CommonsPACAC about @UKStatsAuth - seems to have been run like "a Tudor court" he says to Chote

[Simon Briscoe @simonbriscoe]

"It was some time ago and action had been taken" is Sir Robert Chote's take on the response of @ons senior management to concerns raised by the @UKStatsAuth board. This is a very common theme to all @ons responses to all criticism over many years. @UKStatsAuth also uses the line!

[Simon Briscoe @simonbriscoe]

Poor old @UKStatsAuth at @CommonsPACAC - it's now the turn of @sam_carling_ MP to ask some questions. Sit tight.

[Simon Briscoe @simonbriscoe]

Worth watching @CommonsPACAC from 10.35. @PeterKLamb now asking questions of @MrsRourke1 There are no answers about what has happened (or not) in the last two years that she or @ONS senior management can give to save itself. https://t.co/hdEb5LoTqq

[Simon Briscoe @simonbriscoe]

Well done @CommonsPACAC - @PeterKLamb MP now picking up the baton on project management. Clearly it was a disaster in @ONS. @MrsRourke1 claims that things are so much better in the last 12-18 months (did she say "recovered"?). Incredible - not obvious as a user!