National Statistics upgrade 'too slow'

GOVERNMENT number crunchers at the National Statistics office have been attacked for the slow progress of promised improvements in the quality of official economic figures.

The Statistics Commission, the independent watchdog set up by Chancellor Gordon Brown to check the integrity of Whitehall information, said there was 'serious concern' that recommendations dating back more than two years had still not been implemented. NS had provided no clear timetable for completing the improvements, largely related to the average earnings index.

The commission also criticised-NS for failing to give advance notice of statistical revisions.

The recommendations were originally made in March 1999 after the average earnings index was suspended for four months following drastic revisions.

Statistics Commission chairman Sir John Kingman wrote in an open letter today: 'We expect you to respond effectively to this public statement of our concerns and ensure that the areas of concern identified in our report are addressed vigorously.'

An NS spokesman said the organisation was 'surprised' at the tone of the commission's report. 'Of 37 recommendations, 35 are in place,' he said. 'The other two are under consultation.'

He added that to give advance notice of market-sensitive announcements would be 'bonkers'.