Controversy over statistics released by the Home Office

Last week the Office for National Statistics released numerous figures regarding immigration numbers in the UK.  An official working for the Home Office was present during the briefing and passed out a press release that stated that the number of eastern Europeans choosing to immigrate to the UK were at an all time low. 

The head of the Royal Statistical Society, Professor David Hand, had declared that the press release was meant to distract journalists at the briefing.  Hand said that "While that is serious enough in itself, our concern is broader. In particular, we believe that the whole incident epitomizes some of the bad practices that have helped to undermine public confidence in official statistics.

"The release of such ministerial statements alongside statistical releases can focus attention on one aspect favorable to the government, distracting from other statistics and presenting an unbalanced view. At worst this can help to 'bury' news perceived as unfavorable to the Government."

The permanent secretary of the Home Office, Sir David Normington said that "I regret that a Home Office press release was given to journalists at the press conference on 21 August and I have apologized to Karen Dunnell for this."

A spokesperson said on behalf of the Home Office that "It simply is not true to say that the Home Office misled the public or presented an unbalanced picture of immigration statistics.  Like all parts of the civil service, the Home Office provides a clear picture of statistics.  That is why it published a clearly labeled and 100 per cent accurate press notice to media to coincide with the official release of Home Office statistics."

www.homeoffice.gov.uk