Developing a modern statistical system - a review of Scotland's Census 2022

Conclusion

This overall success of the 2022 Census in Scotland was due in large part to the statistical leadership in NRS responding innovatively to challenges and developing a culture of collaboration to develop solutions to emerging problems.

NRS, through the Registrar General, is one of a number of organisations in Scotland which have statutory responsibilities for producing outputs as part of the wider statistical system. The Chief Statistician has a wider responsibility for developing integrated and dynamic system to meet the needs of Government and the people of Scotland.

The mitigations that NRS were able to put in place to tackle emerging risks were not as strong as would be expected for a programme which underpins that system. Early delays in development of structures to support multi-disciplinary working across the census programme had ongoing impacts on delivery which were difficult to recover from. Some challenges which the programme faced, not least delivery during the Covid-19 pandemic, may be unlikely to be replicated, but consideration should be given as to how to develop resilient structures to deliver future large scale statistical programmes.

The development of an oversight and assurance function from the Chief Statistician may allow programme level risks to be seen and understood in the wider context of the overall statistical system. This alongside more integrated planning and development of skills across programmes may lead to Improved outcomes within the system.

The Chief Statistician should consider what further work is required to implement the three main proposals for future work.