Reference: FOI-2024-1909
You asked
Where do you get your data from about people?
Please clarify which company data is used to identify those who have no WiFi, no television, no access to technology in United Kingdom?
Please provide dates of any communication between Office for National Statistics and any company where there was breaches to Code of Practice for Statistics (from where you get your statistics) in United Kingdom.
We said
Thank you for your request.
Q1. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) collect and process data from a range of sources to produce valuable, good quality, and trustworthy statistics for the public good. These include commercial and administrative data sources and surveys. For more information, please see the following webpages:
All data collected and processed by us are treated with respect and kept secure and confidential. We recognise that we are being trusted with other's data, and we take our commitment to keep that data secure very seriously.
As a data controller, we have a legal obligation to protect personal data under data protection legislation. Furthermore, the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 makes it a criminal offence to improperly disclose information held by ONS that identifies an individual or business.
Given the potential sensitivity of the data we hold at the ONS, we adopt security measures designed to preserve data confidentiality and ensure data are accessible only by authorised people and only as needed. Further information on Data Protection and how we keep data safe can be found here.
Q2. The ONS used to collect data around Internet Access and Users, however the latest publication of both was in 2020.
Following a review, the publications were discontinued, as similar data was available from OFCOM as part of the annual Technology Tracker.
We no longer routinely collect information directly from households or individuals on the use of or access to the internet or wider technology.
Q3. The UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) is an independent statutory body with the statutory object of promoting and safeguarding the production and publication of official statistics that serve the public good.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) are the executive office of the UKSA and are responsible for collecting and publishing statistics related to the economy, population, and society at national, regional, and local levels.
The Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) are separate to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Their principal roles are to set the statutory Code of Practice for Statistics, assess compliance with the Code, award the National Statistics designation to official statistics that comply fully with the Code, and report on any concerns on the quality, good practice, and comprehensiveness of official statistics.
OSR are responsible for breaches to the Code of Practice for Statistics. Therefore, we do not hold the requested information asking for dates of communication regarding breaches to the Code received by ONS. Please let us know if you intended for this to be directed at OSR instead.
Alternatively, if you wish to make enquiries about a specific breach to the Code of Practice, the regulation team can be contacted at regulation@statistics.gov.uk.