High Level Summary of Statistics: Key Trends for Scotland 2006

Scottish Executive Statistician Group

Our Aim

To provide relevant and reliable information, analysis and advice that meet the needs of government, business and the people of Scotland.

Objectives

1. To produce statistics and analysis relevant to user needs by

• Developing our understanding of customer requirements to ensure statistics are kept relevant and analysis is well targeted;
• Developing the range of statistics and analysis we produce;
• Where practicable improving timeliness;
• Providing more statistics disaggregated by age, gender and ethnicity;
• Developing more data for small areas through the Neighbourhood Statistics project;
• Contributing to production of comparable statistics across the UK and internationally.

2. To ensure effective use of our statistics by

• Contributing more directly to policy processes inside and where possible outside government;
• Improving access to and presentation of data and analysis;
• Improving the advice provided on statistics.

3. To work effectively with users and providers by

• Maintaining arrangements to consult and involve users and providers;
• Involving users and providers in planning developments in outputs and processes;
• Minimising the burden on data providers through dropping or streamlining collections as appropriate, to ensure the benefits of the information justify the costs of collection.

4. To develop the quality of statistics by

• Assuring and improving quality as an integral part of data collection and analysis and through regular reviews in line with National Statistics quality strategy;
• Developing statistical methods, systems and classifications;
• Working with the rest of the Government Statistical Service to develop joint approaches/solutions where appropriate.

5. To assure the integrity of statistics by

• Maintaining and promoting integrity through implementation of the National Statistics Code of Practice and related protocols;
• Safeguarding the confidentiality of data subjects.

6. To ensure the efficient and effective delivery of statistics products and services by

• Making best use of all sources including administrative sources;
• Working with other analysts to maximise the contribution of our own and other analysts' work;
• Ensuring value for money;
• Making best use of Information and Communications Technology;
• Ensuring effective communication within the Statistician Group.

7. To develop our workforce and competences

• Ensuring recruitment of staff with the necessary skills and potential;
• Ensuring development of expertise amongst existing staff;
• Promoting and upholding the standards of the statistics profession.

This is a National Statistics publication

"This is a National Statistics publication. It has been produced to high professional standards set out in the National Statistics Code of Practice Protocol. http://www.statistics.gov.uk/about_ns/cop/

These statistics undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference."

Details of pre-release access will be provided in the Scottish Executive Statistics Website under 'Forthcoming Publications'

Correspondence and enquiries

Enquiries on High Level Summary of Statistics should be addressed to:	General enquiries on Scottish Executive statistics can be addressed to:
Gayle Johnston Office of the Chief Statistician Scottish Executive 3 rd Floor West rear, St Andrew's House EDINBURGH, EH12 5PN Telephone: 0131 244 3339 Fax: 0131 244 5427 e-mail: gayle.johnston@scotland.gsi.gov.uk	Ryan Stewart Office of the Chief Statistician Scottish Executive 3 Floor West Rear, St Andrews House EDINBURGH EH1 3DG Telephone: (0131) 244 0442; Fax: (0131) 244 0335 e-mail: statistics.enquiries@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Advice on specific areas of Scottish Executive statistical work can be obtained from staff at the telephone numbers below:

Scottish Executive Statistics contacts
Schools - qualifications	(0131) 244 0315
Schools - pupils and teachers	(0131) 244 1689
Further and Higher Education	(0141) 242 0273
The Economy	(0131) 244 2234
Labour market	(0141) 242 5446
Business	(0141) 242 5446
Income, Tax and Benefits	(0131) 244 2583
Local government finance	(0131) 244 7033
Environment, planning & local government staffing	(0131) 244 0445
Equality	(0131) 244 0442
Housing	(0131) 244 7236
Transport	(0131) 244 7255
Health	(0131) 244 3432
Community Care	(0131) 244 3777
Social Justice	(0131) 244 0442
Scottish Executive personnel	(0131) 244 3926
Agricultural census and labour force	(0131) 244 6150
Fisheries	(0131) 244 6441
Courts and law	(0131) 244 2227
Recorded crime	(0131) 244 2635
Prisons	(0131) 244 2147

Other contacts for Scottish statistics
Forestry Commission	(0131) 314 6337
The Scottish Funding Councils for Higher and Further Education	(0131) 313 6575
General Register Office for Scotland
Vital statistics and publications	(0131) 314 4243
Population statistics, census statistics or digital boundary products	(0131) 314 4254

For general enquiries about National Statistics in the United Kingdom Government contact the National Statistics Public Enquiry Service on

020 7533 5888
minicom: 01633 812399
Email: info@statistics.gov.uk
Fax: 01633 652747
Letters: room DG/18, 1 Drummond Gate, London SW1V 2QQ

You can also find National Statistics on the internet - go to www.statistics.gov.uk

If you would like to be consulted about new or existing statistical collections or to receive notification of forthcoming statistical publications, please register your statistical interest on the Scottish Executive ScotStat web site at www.scotland.gov.uk/scotstat

Current staff names, e-mail addresses and the publications listed below as well as a range of other statistical publications can be found on the Scottish Executive Web site at www.scotland.gov.uk/stats

Further information on the General Register Office for Scotland is available on the website www.gro-scotland.gov.uk

Most recent Statistical Publications relating to the Social And Welfare theme

Ref no.	Title	Last published	Price
0-7559-4595-6	Social Focus on Deprived Areas	2005	Free
0-7559-3912-3	Analysis of religion in the 2001 Census	2005	Free
0-7559-4140-3	Social Focus on Disability	2004	Free
0-7559-2441-X	Analysis of Ethnicity in the 2001 Census	2004	Free
0-7559-0673-X	Social Focus on Urban Rural Scotland	2003	Free
0-7559-0307-X	Social Focus on Women and Men	2002	Free
	Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics [website]	N/A	Free
	Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2004 [website]	N/A	Free

Additional copies of these publications may be purchased from Scottish Executive Publication Sales, Blackwell's Bookshop, 53 South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1YS, Telephone: 0131 622 8283 or 0131 622 8258, Fax: 0131 557 8148 or 0131 557 8149. Cheques should be made payable to 'Blackwell's Bookshop'.

Complaints and suggestions

If you are not satisfied with our service, please write to the Chief Statistician, Mr Rob Wishart, 3R02, St Andrews House, Edinburgh, EH1 3DG, Telephone: (0131) 244 0302, e-mail rob.wishart@scotland.gsi.gov.uk. We also welcome any comments or suggestions that would help us to improve our standards of service.