Compliance with Code of Practice for Statistics
Updated 30 April 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/air-quality-statistics/statement-of-compliance-with-code-of-practice-and-recent-changes-to-the-publication
Official Accredited Statistics
Air quality statistics in the UK, 1987 to 2023 – Compliance with Code of Practice for Statistics
Updated 30 April 2024
1. Accredited Official Statistics Status and recent changes to this publication
Accredited Official Statistics status means that our statistics meet the highest standards of trustworthiness, quality and public value, and it is our responsibility to maintain compliance with these standards.
Accredited official statistics are called National Statistics in the Statistics and Registration Service Act (2007), and they have been referred to by this name for previous publications. An explanation can be found on the Office for Statistics Regulation website. Our statistical practice is regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to.
These accredited official statistics were independently reviewed by the Office for Statistics Regulation in July 2019. They comply with the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics and should be labelled ‘Accredited Official Statistics’.
Since the last assessment of these statistics in 2019, we have continued to comply with the Code of Practice for Statistics. Since the latest review by the Office for Statistics Regulation, we have continued to comply with the Code of Practice for Statistics, and have made the improvements recommended in the July 2019 review, and have improved the accessibility of the publications.
Defra keeps all Accredited Official Statistics under review and seeks to make changes periodically to meet the needs of users. We welcome feedback and any thoughts to improve the publication further. Please complete this survey to help us make the publication more valuable to you. Alternatively, you can send your feedback to Enviro.Statistics@defra.gov.uk.
2. Compliance with Defra Group Statistics Quality Statement
Defra group (that is: core Defra, Forestry Commission, executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies) published a set of principles that producers of statistics should adhere to, with the aim of ensuring quality is a central consideration when producing official or Accredited Official Statistics.
There is significant overlap between the Quality Statement and the Code of Practice for Statistics. These statistics aim to comply with both sets of requirements.
User engagement has been an ongoing challenge for statistics products across Defra. Defra group has produced a User Engagement Policy Statement which outlines some of the methods recently implemented by the air quality and emissions statistics team to improve engagement with users. The team invites feedback on the publication via responding to this survey or via email and raises awareness of the release through the ‘@DefraStats’ X (formerly known as Twitter) account. The Air quality statistics GOV.UK homepage will be used to make any announcements of future changes to the content or structure of the releases.
Internal peer review is conducted on the statistical release prior to publication and follows internally documented peer review processes: the Lead Statistician (Ellie Martell) has responsibility for ensuring these processes are followed and any mistakes are addressed in line with Defra’s revisions and corrections policy.
3. Sections in this release
Background to concentrations of air pollutants
Concentrations of nitrogen dioxide
Concentrations of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5)
Days with ‘Moderate’ or higher air pollution (includes sulphur dioxide)