Scottish Household Survey: A Single Step

A National Statistics Publication for Scotland

The United Kingdom Statistics Authority has designated these statistics as National Statistics, in accordance with the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 and signifying compliance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. The designation of the Scottish Household Survey as National Statistics was confirmed on 26 May 2010 following an assessment by the UK Statistics Authority.

Designation can be broadly interpreted to mean that the statistics:

• meet identified user needs;
• are well explained and readily accessible;
• are produced according to sound methods; and
• are managed impartially and objectively in the public interest.

Once statistics have been designated as National Statistics it is a statutory requirement that the Code of Practice shall continue to be observed. National Statistics status means that our statistics meet the highest standards of trustworthiness, quality and public value, and it is our responsibility to maintain compliance with these standards.

Changes to these statistics

Since the latest review by the Office for Statistics Regulation, we have continued to comply with the Code of Practice for Statistics, and have:

improved the accessibility of the statistics by creating a digital interactive dashboard to allow for easier comparisons across two topic areas;

• added more value by creating an infographic Key Findings report and data comic to accompany the detailed annual report;
• introduced face-to-face briefings of our interviewers to improve the quality of the data collection;
• introduced additional quality assurance processes of the raw data;
• completed a user consultation to collect information about our users and how they use the data;
• completed a 2018-2021 Questionnaire Review to ensure that the SHS continues to deliver high quality evidence on key policy priorities; and
• shortening delivery timescales so users had access to the local authority tables and micro-data quicker.