This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/may/29/whitehall-present-statistics-more-honest

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Whitehall urged to present statistics in a 'more honest' way Whitehall urged to present statistics in a 'more honest' way
(4 months later)
Government departments need to be more honest when they present statistics, a cross-party committee of MPs said on Wednesday.Government departments need to be more honest when they present statistics, a cross-party committee of MPs said on Wednesday.
In a report that generally avoided identifying culprits, the Commons public administration committee said there was a general need for Whitehall officials to present statistics in a more reliable manner.In a report that generally avoided identifying culprits, the Commons public administration committee said there was a general need for Whitehall officials to present statistics in a more reliable manner.
"Producers of government statistics do not always present their figures in the clearest way, sometimes going too far to create a newsworthy headline, when the true story is more nuanced," the report said."Producers of government statistics do not always present their figures in the clearest way, sometimes going too far to create a newsworthy headline, when the true story is more nuanced," the report said.
It added: "Government statistics press releases do not always give a true and fair picture of the story behind the statistics. We recommend that press officers and statistics producers work together much more closely to ensure that press releases give an accurate and meaningful picture."It added: "Government statistics press releases do not always give a true and fair picture of the story behind the statistics. We recommend that press officers and statistics producers work together much more closely to ensure that press releases give an accurate and meaningful picture."
Bernard Jenkin, the Conservative MP and committee chair, said they were given examples "where the changes in one month's figures, on say trade, or unemployment, would generate the headline, but where the trend over the year, a far more significant indicator, is ignored".Bernard Jenkin, the Conservative MP and committee chair, said they were given examples "where the changes in one month's figures, on say trade, or unemployment, would generate the headline, but where the trend over the year, a far more significant indicator, is ignored".
The committee said Jil Matheson, who is the national statistician, "should raise her public profile to promote statistics and their value without fear of appearing politically compromised", and that other government statisticians should do the same.The committee said Jil Matheson, who is the national statistician, "should raise her public profile to promote statistics and their value without fear of appearing politically compromised", and that other government statisticians should do the same.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.