Our statistical outputs are included within the scope of the UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) and we strive to comply with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics (2018).
What's the background?
A legislative Order was laid before the National Assembly for Wales in February 2013, under section 65(7) of the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007, to designate statistics produced by a number of Welsh Government sponsored bodies, including Arts Council of Wales, as Official Statistics.
Why brand our surveys as Official Statistics?
The Code of Practice for Official Statistics sets out a number of principles and protocols that are intended to ensure statistics
- meet the needs of users
- are produced, managed and disseminated to high standards
- are well explained
By complying with the code, users of our statistics can be confident that data produced by Arts Council of Wales is trustworthy.
How are our statistics trustworthy?
Our data outputs will seek to have a level of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality so that our statistics can be considered trustworthy.
- Integrity – we will put the public interest above organisational, political or personal interest
- Honesty – we will be truthful and open about the statistics and their interpretation
- Objectivity – we will use scientific methods to collect statistics and base statistical advice on rigorous analysis of the evidence.
- Impartiality – we will act solely according to the merits of the statistical evidence, serving equally well all aspects of the public interest.
Which of our data outputs are categoried as Official Statistics?
Using the UKSA guidelines we have determined that data outputs from the following Arts Council of Wales surveys are categorised as official statistics:
- Revenue Funded Organisations Survey
- Wales Omnibus Survey
- Children’s Omnibus Survey
- Arts in Wales Survey
In 2016/17, the Arts in Wales Survey was integrated into the National Survey for Wales, which is conducted by Welsh Government. The move allows for a larger sample size and comparisons with a wider range of variables, covering topics such as health, sport and housing.
What will we do if the code is breached?
Arts Council of Wales will investigate the circumstances of any breach of the code and report to the UK Statistics Authority.
We will inform the National Statistician about any complaints that relate to professional integrity, quality or standards relating to our statistical publications. And we will report to the National Statistician any accidental or wrongful release of data.
The Arts Council of Wales lead contact for Official Statistics is Chris Batsford, Research Manager. If you have any questions or comments about our statistics please contact us.