The UK Statistics Authority has written to Iain Duncan Smith in terms which suggest mounting concern about the abuse of statistical information. This time it was about claims made concerning the effect of benefit cap in persuading people into work.
In the manner and form published, the statistics do not comply fully with the principles of the Code of Practice, particularly in respect of accessibility to the sources of the data, information about the methodology and quality of the statistics, and the suggestion that the statistics were shared with the media in advance of their publication. In March, when considering a complaint about the handling of statistics on child support, I was told that senior DWP officials had reiterated to their staff the seriousness of their obligations under the Code of Practice … The Board of the Statistics Authority would welcome further assurance …
This has been a recurrent theme on this blog. Many of the claims are questionable; some seem to be made up. The complaint that the figures are being ‘shared’ with the media is also noteworthy.