Office for National Statistics (2024)

FAQs

Is Office for National Statistics legit? ›

ONS is the executive office of the UK Statistics Authority. It is the UK's largest independent producer of official statistics and the recognised national statistical institute of the UK.

Purpose. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) collects, analyses and disseminates statistics about the UK's economy, society and population.

No-one has to take part if they do not want to, but for us to paint an accurate picture of our society, it is vital that we interview as many people as possible, from all walks of life.

National Statistical Office (NSO)

The National Statistical Office of Malawi is the main government department responsible for the collection and dissemination of official statistics. With headquarters based in Zomba, our 300 employees operate under the 2013 Statistics Act.

Some of our studies are conducted over the telephone. This is often because a household has taken part in the same study before and we are interested in knowing if anything has changed. Sometimes we will contact you for the first time by telephone instead of visiting your address.

The UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) and its executive office (the Office for National Statistics (ONS)) does receive government funding through the Parliamentary Supply process but also generates income from revenue contracts with our customers, who are primarily other government departments.

We are the largest independent producer of official statistics in the UK and our statistics are impartial and free of political control. We are a part of the UK Statistics Authority, a non-ministerial government department that is accountable directly to the UK Parliament.

We are responsible for collecting and publishing statistics related to the economy, population and society at national, regional and local levels. We also conduct the census in England and Wales every 10 years.

The purposes for which personal data are processed

We may do this using a third-party, but your details will never be retained by them. If you don't want to receive these communications, you can opt out by emailing us at srs.customer.support@ons.gov.uk.

Apparently an interviewer will come round and ask about a range of subjects including work, retirement, unemployment, training and looking after the family and home.

Can you not answer census questions? ›

You may decline to answer any or all questions, but each item not answered lessens the quality of the final results.

If you have received a letter inviting you to take part in the study, go to www.ons.gov.uk/playmypart. When asked, enter the personal access code that appears on your letter. Please note: if your letter does not contain a website address or personal access code, you will receive this in the post shortly.

Our headquarters are to the south west of Newport, south Wales, just off Junction 28 of the M4. Railway station: Newport, two and a half miles. Buses: 30 and X15 from Newport Market Square bus station stop next to the site entrance in Cardiff Road.

National statistical offices exist to provide information to the general public, Government and the business community in the economic, demographic, social and environmental fields.

A 2016 Public Confidence in Official Statistics survey reported that trust in ONS is very high (90%).

official statistics can have political biases and agendas, and therefore may not be completely reliable or valid.

2. What is the penalty for not responding? The census law (Title 13, United States Code, Section 224), coupled with the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 (Title 18, Sections 3551, 3559, and 3571), provides for penalties of up to $5,000 for failure to report, and $10,000 for intentionally providing false information. 3.