Indicators

Regulators Investigate How Far Britain’s Data Crisis Has Spread

Sweeping review of surveys underpinning key data is under way
Issues with response rates go beyond key labor market figures

The ONS has warned that a full transition to the new “Transformed Labour Force Survey” could come as late as 2027.Photographer: Jose Sarmento Matos/Bloomberg

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By Tom Rees

January 31, 2025 at 5:00 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Regulators are investigating whether more of the UK’s official economic statistics have been hit by problems similar to those that plunged crucial labor market data into chaos.

The Office for Statistics Regulation is undertaking a sweeping review of surveys, and paying particular attention to one that helps produce GDP estimates and another measuring household wealth, according to people familiar with the matter.