EMHP statistics: statement of voluntary application of the Code of Practice for Statistics
Published 29 July 2021
© Crown copyright 2021
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environmental-monitoring-for-health-protection-emhp-wastewater-programme-statement-of-compliance-with-the-code-of-practice-for-statistics/emhp-statistics-statement-of-voluntary-application-of-the-code-of-practice-for-statistics
The Code of Practice for Statistics is built around 3 main concepts, or pillars:
- trustworthiness – having confidence in the people and organisations that produce statistics and data
- quality – data and methods that produce assured statistics
- value – publishing statistics that support society’s needs for information
The following describes how the pillars of the Code have been applied in a proportionate way.
1. Trustworthiness
The figures are based on information from EMHP wastewater monitoring in England.
To support the government’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, this information has been seen in advance by national and regional decision makers, ministers, and officials.
These statistics have been developed under guidance from the DHSC head statistician.
These figures are published at the earliest opportunity and will now be published monthly, on the last Thursday of the month.
Previous releases will remain available to view but the most recent publication will contain the latest information. We will not routinely revise previous weeks’ figures; if revisions occur, then this will be made clear.
Depending on interest and demand, in future we will consider releasing more detailed iterations of this transparency data.
2. Quality
The figures provided are compiled by professional analysts using the latest available data and applying methods using their professional judgement. They have been quality assured specifically for publication and as part as an ongoing Quality Assurance process within the program.
Given the importance of this service and the commitment of EMHP to be open and transparent with the public it serves, these data are being released at the earliest possible opportunity. However, new analytical methods and statistical outputs often take a period of time to bed in. These data should therefore be treated with caution as the full analytical pipeline and understanding of the data develops.
Advice from the DHSC head statistician has been sought in publishing these figures.
3. Value
In publishing these data, we aim to provide evidence for ministers, policy makers and external stakeholders by providing information about the COVID-19 pandemic.
These figures contribute to the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Regular collection and publication of these data will over time enable DHSC to gain a clearer picture of the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in England Sewage Treatment Works, which is indicative of COVID-19 prevalence in the community.
Making this information available helps reduce the administrative burden of answering Parliamentary questions, freedom of information requests and other queries about EMHP Wastewater monitoring.
The figures and analysis presented will evolve over time to ensure the most relevant information is included and the needs of stakeholders are met. These figures will initially be published monthly, from July 2021, and we will continuously evaluate the frequency and date-range based on need and public interest.