As – until recently – a member of the Commons Treasury committee, and then the minister responsible for the Statistics and Registration Act in the latter Commons stages, I have long been aware of the demands placed on our statistical system.

Statistics are fundamental to the formulation and evaluation of public policy at all levels. This makes our reforms particularly important and the seriousness with which parliamentarians on all sides, and in both Houses, engaged with the proposals is a tribute to the scrutiny process. Much of this was a direct result of the efforts of John Healey, the former financial secretary, for which I, and all involved in statistical reform, are extremely grateful.

At the centre of our reforms is the creation of an independent Statistics Board, with the core objective of promoting and safeguarding the production and publication of statistics that serve the public good. The reference to the ‘public good’ was added to the objective in the Commons, following strong representations, and with the widespread support of all sides of the House.

Whilst the government has always been firmly committed to the principle that official statistics exist to serve the public in its widest sense, this addition to the objective makes explicit that they exist not only to inform and assist the work of government, but also play a crucial role in our nation’s life.

The Act gives the independent board a number of statutory responsibilities to deliver on its objective. One of the roles it will undertake is providing the top level of governance for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), replacing the oversight role that Treasury ministers now perform. The executive office of the board – headed by the national statistician – will be the central statistical producer, as the ONS is now. However, recognising the UK’s devolved statistical system, policy departments will retain responsibility for their statistical outputs as appropriate.

The board will also be required to prepare and publish a code of practice, which will be promoted across all official statistics. Those statistics that meet the code standards will be formally classified as National Statistics – meaning that everyone who uses them will have independent assurance of their quality and integrity. 

Having one legal entity ultimately responsible for both the functions of the ONS and scrutiny across the whole system, ensures there is a single source of authority. While this is an aspect of the reforms upon which there was broad agreement, some felt the Act was not as clear as it might in distinguishing the board’s roles for oversight and scrutiny.  I share the view that clarity in roles and responsibilities is key, and the Act was amended to clarify the role of the national statistician.

It is also important that the funding arrangements for the new Statistics Board reinforce its independence. That is why funding for the board will be set outside of the normal spending review process.To give the board planning and funding certainty, we announced in the Budget a funding settlement of £1.2bn over the five years. This funding includes nearly £30m earmarked for new functions specific to independence, such as assessment of statistics and the proposed central publication hub.

Our priority now is working to make the legislative reforms a practical reality. Already we, with Parliament’s support, have selected the first chair of the Statistics Board, Sir Michael Scholar KCB, subject to the Queen’s approval.  We have created a system that has Parliament in the central role of scrutinising the statistical system and all who play a part in it – including the board, departments and ministers.

The result of our reforms will be a robust and independent board, directing and supporting the excellent statistical work already going on across government, under the national statistician’s leadership, delivering the highest possible quality of statistics.

Statistical challenges are of course increasing, as the world in which we live is rapidly changing. The board will play a key strategic role in making sure that the statistical system can meet those challenges, delivering relevant, accurate statistics that enable us to understand the changing world, and which government can use to develop strong and sound policies.

Angela Eagle is exchequer secretary to the Treasury