A N N U A L R E P O R T
& A C C O U N T S
1 9 9 8 – 9 9
WO R K I N G
TO I M P R OV E
EVERYONE’S L IVES
WO R K I N G
TO I M P R OV E
EVERYONE’S L IVES
A N N UA L R E P O R T & AC C O U N T S 19 9 8 – 9 9
OUR AIM IS FOR ONS TO BE A PROVIDER OF WORLD CLASS STATISTICAL
AND REGISTRATION SERVICES.
WITH THE AGREEMENT OF THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, ONS
SET ITSELF THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES FOR 1998–99:
› To provide a trusted and authoritative statistical service, in accordance
with UK, EU and international requirements, to improve decision making,
stimulate research and inform debate within government and the wider
community; and
› To ensure the registration of key life events in order to protect and
help individuals.
Presented to Parliament in pursuance of Section 5 of the Exchequer and Audit
Departments Act 1921
Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 27 July 1999
THE STATIONERY OFFICE £12.55
OBJECTIVES
731
AIM
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is working to improve everyone’s lives, from
the very young to the very old. Daniel Harris (front) and Evelyn Whitworth (page
26 and back), like all the people featured in this publication, are real people dealing
with real issues. Directly or indirectly, their lives are affected by the work we do.
FRONT COVER
Daniel Harris is five and has leukaemia. He is a patient on Piam Brown Ward at Southampton
General Hospital. Doctors and hospitals supply details of all cancer registrations to regional
cancer registries which then pass these to ONS to be processed for the Department of
Health.These statistics help to monitor the incidence of cancer and cancer survival trends.
ONS also maintains the NHS Central Register – a key database of all patients registered
with a GP in England and Wales.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ONS and Celsius would like to thank the following for their help and participation in the
photography used in this report:
Daniel Harris, Dr Jan Kohler, Consultant at Southampton General Hospital, and Daniel’s
mother, Debbie Harris; Deborah Short, Melanie Cook, Mr Brogan and the pupils of Shirley
Junior School; Alex, Simon and George; Richard, Roswitcha,Tristan and Tamsin Gadd and
Barbara Davis; Amanda, Stuart, Isaac and David Thom and Annette Becker; Darra Singh,
Mary Scanlan and Chris Birchall of Hexagon Housing Association and Jon Broome of
Architype architects; Lorraine Streater, Damian Braganza, Bose Akomolafe, Beverley Botting
and Lois Cook of ONS; Ernest Peck; Gill and Evelyn Whitworth and Oliver Rau.
© Crown copyright 1999
ISBN 0-10-276499-9
OFFICE FOR NATIONAL STATISTICS
1 Drummond Gate
London SW1V 2QQ
National Statistics Public Enquiry Service
01633 812973 (From 31 August 1999: 020 7533 5888)
www.ons.gov.uk
celsius|
Alan Hunter
Signal Press, London
In line with ONS’s Green Policy, this report is printed on environmentally friendly paper.
T:
E– MAIL:
WEB:
DESIGN:
PHOTOGRAPHY:
PRINTER:
PAPER:
DIRECTOR’S REVIEW
ABOUT THE OFFICE FOR NATIONAL STATISTICS
ABOUT THIS REPORT
STATISTICAL ACTIVITIES
REGISTRATION ACTIVITIES
OFFICE–WIDE ACTIVITIES
THE FUTURE
ANNEX A – PERFORMANCE AGAINST TARGETS 1998 –99
ANNEX B – RECRUITMENT 1998 –99
ANNEX C – AVERAGE EARNINGS INDEX
ANNEX D – ONS PUBLISHING APRIL 1998 – MARCH 1999
ACCOUNTS 1998 –99
C O N T E N T S
5
7
9
11
16
19
22
24
27
27
28
31
Alex, Simon and George are
all 15 years old; they live
in London and meet up most
afternoons after school
to go skateboarding and
rollerblading. ONS provides
a variety of information on
teenagers and young adults, often through government surveys that cover issues such as the
economic activity and level of earnings of young adults; the development and well-being of
adolescents; their dietary habits and nutritional status; smoking and drinking habits; and
their participation in sport and other physical activities.
Alex, Simon and George are
all 15 years old; they live
in London and meet up most
afternoons after school
to go skateboarding and
rollerblading. ONS provides
a variety of information on
teenagers and young adults, often through government surveys that cover issues such as the
economic activity and level of earnings of young adults; the development and well-being of
adolescents; their dietary habits and nutritional status; smoking and drinking habits; and
their participation in sport and other physical activities.
This report covers the third year of the Office’s existence.
As usual, we began the year with a challenging programme of on-going work and
developments designed to meet high priority demands from our users.We have made
good progress and performed well against our corporate targets.
We have achieved much during the year and this report reflects this. Many of our
statistical outputs form part of regular statistical series and are produced month on
month, year on year. Improving the quality of service is a constant challenge for staff
throughout the office. Even maintaining existing quality is a major task, as systems have to
be adapted to monitor a rapidly changing society.This on-going work should not be
forgotten in the eagerness to celebrate the new. It forms the core of the 300 First and
Press Releases, all of them issued on their pre-announced publication date, and the 421
publications published this year.
There were also successful developments in 1998–99:
› The year began with the launch of a wide-ranging debate on the future
governance arrangements for National Statistics. Discussions have continued
throughout the year.
› The 1998 annual National Accounts were published in September. This was the
most far-reaching revision to the National Accounts since they were set up in
the 1950s. The UK was the first country in the EU to convert to ESA 95 with a
full set of back series.
› The new look Labour Market Trends provided a more user-friendly approach to
the increasingly complex labour market by improving presentation of both
national and regional labour market statistics involving better integration of
data from different sources.
› Proposals for the census, including plans for a number of new questions were
published in a White Paper in March. For the first time, this census will be
processed with the help of private sector expertise to produce and scan over 30
million census forms. In February, along with my fellow Registrars General
from Scotland and Northern Ireland, I signed the contract with a consortium
headed by Lockheed Martin.
› A fundamental review of the civil registration service in England and Wales was
launched in December. The aim is to provide the basis for a service which can
adapt to the ever-changing needs and attitudes of a modern society and which
can adopt modern methods and technology to meet them.
› We have contributed to cross government work, in particular on supporting
families, social exclusion, modernising Government and combating fraud.
Despite these significant achievements we can only consider 1998–99 as a partial success.
The decision in autumn 1998 to suspend the Average Earnings Index (AEI) brought our
methods and processes under close external scrutiny.The report and recommendations of
the Turnbull/King Review were published on 1 March. More details are given in Annex C
on page 27.
We have also come under the spotlight from other sources. As a result of the
Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review a high level review was undertaken by
external consultants to help identify scope for efficiency savings for future reinvestment in
improved outputs.The Economic Secretary accepted the recommendations made by the
review’s Steering Group in February 1999. As part of its regular programme, the Treasury
Select Committee also reported on ONS at the end of 1998.
The combined effect of the recommendations from the AEI Report and these major
reviews means we face radical change for 1999–2000 and beyond.The ONS Policy Board
is committed to delivering on the recommendations.The challenges and our plans for
D I R E C T O R ’ S R E V I E W
5 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
Deborah Short is four months pregnant with
her second child. She is Head of Year at
Shirley Junior School in Southampton. When
born, Deborah’s baby will be registered
by the local Registration Service and the
details sent to the General Register Office (part of ONS). This information will then
be used by ONS to calculate birth rates and provide population estimates and projections.
ONS is also active in monitoring women’s fertility; the age of women when they have
their first child; and congenital anomalies detected at and after birth.
Deborah Short is four months pregnant with
her second child. She is Head of Year at
Shirley Junior School in Southampton. When
born, Deborah’s baby will be registered
by the local Registration Service and the
details sent to the General Register Office (part of ONS). This information will then
be used by ONS to calculate birth rates and provide population estimates and projections.
ONS is also active in monitoring women’s fertility; the age of women when they have
their first child; and congenital anomalies detected at and after birth.
dealing with them are described in more detail in our 1999–2002 Business Plan. As we
release efficiency savings, we shall plough them back to improve the quality and range of
our outputs.
We are facing a period of significant change and inevitably this means a period of
uncertainty for staff. However, the commitment to our work from staff at all levels within
ONS is a tribute to them. Even through periods of uncertainty and change, regular
outputs and developments continue to be maintained.
Our priorities for the future are unchanged: we will continue to provide world class
statistics and registration services. Our challenge is to recognise the opportunities
presented to us by the period of change we face.
Tim Holt
Director
THE THREE ROLES OF TIM HOLT
Director, ONS
Directly accountable to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the operation and
performance of the Office in accordance with the Framework Document and its
approved plans.
Registrar General for England and Wales (RG)
Responsible for the administration of the marriage laws and to secure the
provision of an effective system for the registration of vital events, ie births,
marriages and deaths. This is a statutory office, to which he is appointed by
Letters Patent.
Head of the Government Statistical Service (GSS)
Responsible for promoting the provision across government of co-ordinated,
high-quality, cost effective and easily accessible statistics.
The Office for National Statistics was created on 1 April 1996 as an Executive Agency
and a government department, accountable to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.The
Office has about 3,000 staff operating in London, Newport (South Wales), Runcorn,
Southport and Titchfield (Hampshire), plus around 1,000 interviewers working on social
surveys countrywide.
ONS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of non-
discrimination for both its employees and potential recruits. In January 1999 the Director
signed up to the Commission for Racial Equality’s Leadership Challenge, committing him to
give a personal lead in promoting the principle of racial equality and taking practical action.
Systems are in place to ensure that recruitment is carried out on the basis of fair and
open competition. Our report on recruitment is in Annex B on page 27.
Our international reputation has grown rapidly in the first three years of the Office.
During the last year ONS played host to around 50 groups of overseas visitors who came
to learn from our experiences and to share theirs. In addition we hosted an international
seminar on census methodology, the 50th anniversary meeting of the International
Association for Research in Income and Wealth (IARIW) and the Paris Group on Labour
and Compensation.
Preparations were underway for the Heads of the World Health Organisation
Collaborating Centres for the Classification of Diseases which will take place in
October this year.
7 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
ABOUT THE OFFICE FOR NATIONAL STATISTICS (ONS)
Richard and Roswitcha Gadd, and their children,
Tristan and Tamsin, are about to move into their new
home, a larger flat with a garden, close to where
they are currently living. ONS processes economic
data to help make decisions on interest rates,
which in turn affect mortgage repayments. In
addition, it conducts surveys which monitor
changes in household composition, and collects
household expenditure data on housing, goods and
services. Every ten years ONS also carries out
the Census in England and Wales, the next of which
will take place in 2001. The Census covers the
entire population and provides information on
family sizes and the type of housing they occupy.
Richard and Roswitcha Gadd, and their children,
Tristan and Tamsin, are about to move into their new
home, a larger flat with a garden, close to where
they are currently living. ONS processes economic
data to help make decisions on interest rates,
which in turn affect mortgage repayments. In
addition, it conducts surveys which monitor
changes in household composition, and collects
household expenditure data on housing, goods and
services. Every ten years ONS also carries out
the Census in England and Wales, the next of which
will take place in 2001. The Census covers the
entire population and provides information on
family sizes and the type of housing they occupy.
Reliable statistics are necessary for good public management and accountability. One role
of our outputs is to provide the information to allow the performance of government to
be monitored. It is also important that we demonstrate that the statistics and registration
services we provide are produced efficiently.This third Annual Report and Accounts allows
Parliament and all users of our services to monitor our performance.
The following goals, established when ONS was set up, form a core of the ONS
Vision and Values and remain relevant to our business strategy :
TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY, RELEVANCE AND ACCESSIBILITY OF OUR SERVICES
TO ALL CUSTOMERS;
TO IMPROVE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE INTEGRITY OF OUR OUTPUTS;
TO MINIMISE THE BURDEN ON THOSE SUPPLYING INFORMATION, SUBJECT TO
THE NEEDS OF GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY FOR HIGH QUALITY INFORMATION;
TO IMPROVE VALUE FOR MONEY AND OPERATE EFFICIENTLY AND
EFFECTIVELY; AND
TO MAINTAIN AND DEVELOP A WELL-MOTIVATED WORKFORCE.
Our annual targets, agreed with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, are designed around
these goals.
1998–99 was overshadowed by the problems with the AEI and this is reflected in our
major government customers’ assessment of our performance. However overall they were
satisfied that our performance had generally met the target. Our performance against the
other targets was good and in the case of the compliance plan and efficiency savings both
targets were exceeded. In a few cases we missed the target marginally. Performance
against all the targets is reported in Annex A on page 24.
1998–99 was a busy year on both the statistical and registration fronts. Despite a
considerable agenda of change and development, the staff at ONS ensured that the
regular outputs, on which our customers rely, were produced on time.
Our performance towards achieving our objectives is considered in the next section.
Goals A–C are considered separately for our statistical and registration services. Improving
value for money and maintaining a well-motivated workforce (goals D and E) are
reported across the office.
A B O U T T H I S R E P O R T
9 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
A:
B:
C:
D:
E:
Amanda Thom and three of her six children
(Stuart, Isaac and David) unpack their weekly
shop. ONS undertakes the Family Expenditure
Survey and maintains the Retail Prices
Index (RPI) – an important barometer of the
UK economy which measures the impact of
inflation on family budgets. Another ONS
service is the Retail Sales Index (RSI),
which monitors the spending patterns of
the population.
Amanda Thom and three of her six children
(Stuart, Isaac and David) unpack their weekly
shop. ONS undertakes the Family Expenditure
Survey and maintains the Retail Prices
Index (RPI) – an important barometer of the
UK economy which measures the impact of
inflation on family budgets. Another ONS
service is the Retail Sales Index (RSI),
which monitors the spending patterns of
the population.
TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY, RELEVANCE AND ACCESSIBILITY OF OUR SERVICES
TO ALL CUSTOMERS (A)
Improving the quality of service is a constant challenge for staff throughout the office. Even
maintaining existing quality is a major task, as systems have to be adapted to monitor a
rapidly changing society.The introduction of the euro and the growth in Internet trading
are just two examples of how the economy is changing.
Much of our work involves the regular collection, analysis and production of statistical
information at monthly, quarterly and annual intervals.The majority of the 300 First
Releases and Press Releases and 421 publications issued during the year relate to our
statistical outputs. A lot of effort goes into producing what may, on the face of it, seem
routine outputs. However, we are constantly looking for ways to improve the thousands of
series that underlie the headline figures – for example the Retail Prices Index (RPI) and
the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – and many of these improvements are not
immediately obvious to our customers.The migration of national accounts systems, from
spreadsheets onto the new Windows based version of the Central Shared Database
(CSDB) is one such example. It brings the benefits of improved efficiency, consistent
approaches, improved quality and reduced training costs, nearly all of which will be invisible
to our customers.
New products and services
Each year ONS publishes approximately 400 titles. In 1998–99 the large majority
of ONS publications were published according to the pre-announced timetable
(see Annex A for detailed performance). New additions to the ONS publications
portfolio this year included: Stockbuilding, UK Trade in Services, Health Statistics
Quarterly, Sub-national Population Projections – England, Social Focus on
Women and Men and Tracking People: A Guide to Longitudinal Social Sources.
The full range of ONS publications is shown in Annex D on page 28.
Despite much improvement 1998 is likely to be remembered for the decision to suspend
the AEI.This occurred after major shortcomings were found in a revised series introduced
in 1998. More details on the AEI suspension and subsequent review are given in Annex C
on page 27.
On the positive side a number of improvements were made in the year.The major
projects are outlined below in the main statistical themes.
COMMERCE, ENERGY AND BUSINESS
ONS has worked closely with users to understand their requirements and considerable
planning has gone into the development of a package of improvements to enhance a
range of business and economic statistics.
A new single whole economy Annual Business Inquiry replaces eight previous annual
structural inquiries improving coherence between data from the different sectors of the
economy. A new Trade in Services publication was introduced meeting the needs of the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Treasury but has also proved a valuable
source to a much wider range of users. A prototype corporate services price index was
published in 1998, placing ONS among the leading group of nations in the development of
service sector price indices.
All business and macro-economic indicators were rebased in 1998 so that they now
more closely reflect the changed industrial structure.
S TAT I S T I C A L AC T I V I T I E S
11 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
GOAL
THE ECONOMY
The publication of the Blue and Pink Books in September 1998 saw the culmination of
several years of planning for the introduction of the National Accounts on the European
System of Accounts (ESA 95).This was the most far-reaching revision to the National
Accounts since they were set up in the 1950s. It involved the Blue Book, Pink Book, Input-
Output tables, Concepts Sources and Methods, Introducing ESA and Sector Classification
Guide, all of which were produced to deadline, together with the First Releases,
background briefing and an electronic dataset. Nearly 2,000 copies of the Blue Book were
sold.The UK was the first EU Member State to publish accounts on the ESA 95 basis with
a complete back series.
In addition to taking on the ESA 95 changes, the estimates published in the 1998 Blue
Book were rebased onto 1995 and included the full effects of the new business register.
The new standards are designed to give the accounts a clearer and more up-to-date
framework to allow international comparisons. A series of explanatory publications and
seminars explaining the changes for major users of these economic data preceded the
publication.This educative programme resulted in a positive response from users.
Improvements continue to be made despite the changes to the Blue Book being the
most comprehensive since the National Accounts were started. During work on BB98 it
became clear that other substantive revisions would be needed to the accounts soon; in
part to take account of feedback from users (especially Eurostat) on the methodologies
and presentation used.
In February 1999 we published the RPI Technical Manual, a complete explanation of
methodology used in compiling the widely used but not always fully understood Retail
Prices Index. Subjects covered in the manual include price collection, validation and
sampling procedures, and special indices.
HEALTH AND CARE
Customer involvement is an important element of ensuring we provide the best possible
service. A new user group, the Public Health Statistics Advisory Committee, met for the
first time in May 1998. It includes members from other government departments, the
NHS and academic institutions and will advise ONS on the direction of our statistical
work in public health.This new committee joins the network of such groups covering our
activities in business statistics, national accounts, financial statistics, gender statistics and
registration services.
Extending the use of existing data is an important aspect of our work. In February 1999
we published an easy to use guide on longitudinal data aimed at encouraging better use of
existing data sources, and directing potential users to sources that are available for analysis.
In May 1998 we published the results of a study, Health of the Elderly: a General
Household Survey (GHS) follow-up for the Department of Health, primarily designed to
investigate the feasibility of collecting longitudinal data from which healthy active life
expectancy (the expected number of years of disability-free life) could be estimated.
LABOUR MARKET
Following extensive consultation the presentation of monthly labour market statistics was
extensively enhanced in the April 1998 First Release.This was mirrored in a new format
for Labour Market Trends in the May 1998 edition. After six months the release was
reviewed, again through customer consultation, and some further improvements agreed.
To coincide with the launch of Labour Market Trends Quarterly Supplement the
publication of the full Labour Force Survey quarterly databases was brought forward by
two months.
To provide a more rounded and informative picture of the labour market we have also
produced a range of pilot small area estimates which we are currently validating and
assessing with customers.
12 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
POPULATION AND MIGRATION
Mid-year population estimates by age and sex for England and Wales at the national and
sub-national level were produced for the reorganised local authority boundaries.
We can now better meet the needs of customers for our international migration
estimates through the introduction of a new computer system.The new system allows
greater flexibility for delivering customer specified outputs.
SOCIAL AND WELFARE
In partnership with the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) we published Social
Focus on Women and Men in October 1998. Social Focus on Women and Men is the
second collaboration with the EOC.The partnership with EOC gives the opportunity to
improve coverage, quality and accessibility of gender disaggregated statistics by pooling our
experience and expertise.
In another collaborative venture, ONS and the Economic and Social Research Council
(ESRC) published the new government social classification. It is designed to replace the
two current classifications based on social class and socio-economic groups in 2001. All
official government statistics are expected to use the new classification once it is fully
implemented and it is likely that others outside government will also choose to use it as it
becomes established.The new classification is based on employment conditions and
relationships, which are now considered to be central to describing the socio-economic
structure of modern societies.The use of a single occupation-based social classification will
contribute to the government’s determination to use joined-up government to tackle
social issues by helping to explain variations in health and social behaviour and attitudes in
society in a coherent way.
Through the year our work has also been integral to a number of cross-departmental
initiatives. One way in which we help is through the analyses and reports based on the
over 30-year-old Longitudinal Study (LS).With a sample size of 600,000 drawn from the
total population, its coverage and scope provides a unique dataset. In the past year the
findings from the LS have fed into major reviews of adult health and health inequalities,
and into the formation and development of policy in areas such as social exclusion, the
elderly and the family.The decision of the LS Review to update it with data from the
2001 Census, is expected to increase greatly its value for developing policies in the
next millennium.
HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS
ONS is also a foremost supplier of quality survey research and advice on survey methods
to government and the public sector. In 1998–99 we carried out nine large continuous
surveys and over 25 ad hoc surveys.The General Field Force interviewers dealt with a
greater volume of units for interview during 1998–99: over 150,000 – an increase of 28
per cent on the previous year.These included elements of: survey design; sampling; data
collection; processing; analysis; and interpretative commentary.The main outputs of our
social survey work are survey datasets and published interpretative reports. In addition, we
carried out methodological research and provided expert advice and guidance across the
ONS and other government departments, and to the wider research community.
ACCESSIBILITY TO ALL CUSTOMERS
Accessibility is a cornerstone of ONS’s business strategy and more of our customers are
seeking information from non-paper sources. Many of our publications are also available in
CD-ROM format and electronic dissemination is becoming an important medium for our
outputs.The new ONS website design went live on 27 April 1998. It provides background
material and briefing papers that will interest professional statisticians as well as more
general information.The ONS website links to the Government Statistical Service (GSS)
13 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
Lorraine Streater, Damian Braganza,
Bose Akomolafe and Beverley Botting
between them have worked for ONS
for a total of 69 years. ONS
holds a vast amount of employment
information. Nearly all the
information comes from sample
surveys like the Labour Force
Survey and other sources such
as monthly records of the
number of unemployed benefit
claimants. The Labour Force
Survey tracks topics such as employment, unemployment, job-related training and
jobsearch methods, and patterns in equal opportunities in the workplace. The Annual
Employment Survey and the New Earnings Survey collect details of jobs and earnings
from employers each year.
Lorraine Streater, Damian Braganza,
Bose Akomolafe and Beverley Botting
between them have worked for ONS
for a total of 69 years. ONS
holds a vast amount of employment
information. Nearly all the
information comes from sample
surveys like the Labour Force
Survey and other sources such
as monthly records of the
number of unemployed benefit
claimants. The Labour Force
Survey tracks topics such as employment, unemployment, job-related training and
jobsearch methods, and patterns in equal opportunities in the workplace. The Annual
Employment Survey and the New Earnings Survey collect details of jobs and earnings
from employers each year.
website, which is a focal point for access to official UK statistics.The launch of StatBase, the
home for the statistical data, on the Internet on 1 October 1998 drew the headline
‘A must for any researcher or actuary’ in the Mail on Sunday. Since its launch
approximately 3,500 users have been visiting the StatBase site each week.
National Statistics Information and Library Services (NSILS) provides access to the full
range of statistics for visitors to our Newport and London sites. Members of the public
are welcome to use the library facilities for their research.We also make datasets available
to the Data Archive at the University of Essex for further analysis as well as providing
access electronically to our data through private providers such as NOMIS.
TO IMPROVE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE INTEGRITY OF OUR OUTPUTS (B)
THE FUTURE OF OFFICIAL STATISTICS
The consultation on the Green Paper, Statistics – A Matter of Trust, ended in May 1998.
The public consultation opened up a wide-ranging debate on how best to set the
framework to deliver official statistics which are trustworthy and seen to be so.
A Government response to the Green Paper has been delayed awaiting the outcomes
of the ONS Efficiency Review and the reports on the AEI and the Treasury Select
Committee’s First Report, Session 1998–99, Office for National Statistics. A White Paper is
expected shortly.
Previous criticism of the labour market statistics had an adverse effect on official
statistics generally.The revised booklets, How exactly is Unemployment Measured?, and a
new one, How exactly is Employment Measured?, were produced this year, together with a
new User Guide to Labour Market Statistics Releases, to help users better understand
how the figures are compiled.
Although the AEI suspension has understandably knocked public confidence it is
reassuring that the bulk of our statistical outputs are accepted as authoritative.
TO MINIMISE THE BURDEN ON THOSE SUPPLYING INFORMATION, SUBJECT TO
THE NEEDS OF GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY FOR HIGH QUALITY
INFORMATION (C)
ONS has a responsibility to ensure that the burdens we place on business respondents to
all government surveys are kept to a minimum, subject to the needs of government and
society for high quality information. Compliance planning is an integral part of ONS’s
business planning process. In 1998–99 compliance costs were estimated at £20.5 million
against a target of £20.7 million.Through improved sampling methods we have been able
to reduce the number of companies required to participate in statutory surveys. In the
second year of the introduction of the Osmotherley guarantee for small businesses (firms
employing less than 10 people included in surveys only once every four years), the
guarantee was breached in only 119 cases, where it was vital for statistical purposes.
Data supply to the population estimates has also been made easier for suppliers.
Flexible input methods have been developed for a number of systems which allow data
take on in a form that is the most convenient for the supplier.Through closer contact with
suppliers we have helped to eliminate problems before they arise in live data transfer.We
are also increasing our take on and exchange of data in electronic format.
As a result of a sample optimisation project carried out for us by Southampton
University we have been able to implement a more efficient International Passenger
Survey (IPS) design.We have also improved the survey design on the Vehicle Occupancy
Survey which has made it more cost effective.
15 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
GOAL
GOAL
16 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
The General Register Office’s main outputs are:
› advice and guidance to the public, registrars, local authorities, ministers, MPs
and government officials;
› an archive of all births, marriages and deaths in England and Wales since 1837
and certain births, marriages and deaths abroad;
› certified copies (certificates) of birth, stillbirth, adoption, marriage and death
register entries (vital events);
› the Adopted Children’s register and Adoptions Contact Registers; and
› the Family Records Centre (providing a public search facility for indexes of
vital events).
The National Health Service Central Register’s main outputs are :
› the database of all patients registered with a GP in England and Wales;
› the provision of information from the database for use in primary health care;
› the preservation of historic indexes and registers; and
› the provision of services to meet customers’ needs.
TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY, RELEVANCE AND ACCESSIBILITY OF OUR SERVICES
TO ALL CUSTOMERS (A)
The General Register Office (GRO) has been involved in a number of joined-up policy
initiatives across government including family policy, identity and fraud. Casework has
increased significantly in the past few years and this year was no exception.
The Home Office consultation paper, Supporting Families, recommended a review of civil
registration. A Review was announced in December 1998 and a Project Board has been
set up to oversee the process of preparing a consultation paper.Work has begun with a
series of discussions with key stakeholders, such as registrars, genealogists, local authorities
and other government departments, in advance of the wider public consultation.
In April 1998 we employed Qualtech to act as a mystery shopper to evaluate the
services provided by the GRO. Overall the results were positive and the exercise is to be
repeated again this year. Qualtech also supplied more detailed information that has been
used as part of our training programme.
The number of visitors to the Family Records Centre (FRC) has continued to increase.
On average in excess of 8,000 people visit every week with Saturday becoming one of
the busiest days.The number of applications made in person have decreased whilst those
by phone, e-mail and post have increased.This is in line with our strategy aimed at
relieving congestion at the FRC and supplying a service to the public which is not driven
by the need to apply in person.
Preparations for the introduction of the new registration service software (RSS2000)
have been underway.This will replace software used in register offices which is not Year
2000 compliant. Roll-out of RSS2000 to the 600 register offices in England and Wales is
due to begin shortly.
TO IMPROVE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE INTEGRITY OF OUR OUTPUTS (B)
The GRO’s involvement in anti-fraud initiatives continued to increase in 1998–99. A
system for regular liaison and exchange of information with the UK Passport Agency and
the Department of Social Security was set up and has proved to be successful in the
discovery and investigation of a number of frauds.Work commissioned by the Ministerial
group set up as a result of the Green Paper, Beating Fraud is Everyone’s Business, required
a significant amount of input on civil registration.
R E G I S T R AT I O N AC T I V I T I E S
GOAL
GOAL
Alongside the roll-out of the RSS2000 the GRO has begun to phase in a new
background design for birth, stillbirth and death certificates.The new design is a result
of a review of certificate security and will provide better protection against forgery
and counterfeit.
TO MINIMISE THE BURDEN ON THOSE SUPPLYING INFORMATION, SUBJECT TO
THE NEEDS OF GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY FOR HIGH QUALITY
INFORMATION (C)
The legislation covering civil registration is very prescriptive and prevents the registration
service operating at premium efficiency.The Review of Civil Registration’s aim is to provide
a service that is responsive to the needs of modern society, capable of adapting and
evolving with technological advances.This could contribute to the joined-up Government
initiative of citizens providing information only once to government. Fundamental change
will depend on legislative reform. In the meantime the rationalisation of registration
districts has helped local authorities to amalgamate registration districts, thereby increasing
efficiencies for local authorities and the public.
Following a public consultation on its draft the Welsh Language Board approved
the ONS Welsh Language Scheme. Prepared under the Welsh Language Act 1993
it sets out how we will put into practice the principle of treating the Welsh
language on an equal basis.
Mae’r Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol (SYG) yn croesawu pob gohebiaeth yng
Gmraeg. Ein bwriad yw cynnig gwasanaeth dwyieithog ar draws y cyfan o
weithgareddauir SYG. Dyma’r rhifau ar gyfer ymholiadau Cymraeg:
Ymholiadau am gofrestu sifil: 0151 471 4575
Ymholiadau ystadegol a rhai cyffredinol: 01633 813381
Dylai ymholiadau ysgrifenedig ar gofestru gael eu cyfeirio i’n swyddfa yn
Southport a phob ymholiad arall i swyddfa Casnewydd. Mae’r cyfeiriadau ar y
tu mewn i’r clawr. Mae copiau o’r cynlln ar gael drwy gysylltu ein llyfgell yng
Nghasnewydd.
17 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
GOAL
Darra Singh is Chief Executive of Hexagon
Housing Association. He is pictured with
his Senior Administration Officer, Mary
Scanlan, and Finance Director, Chris
Birchall, on the site of their new offices
in South London. ONS’s statistics on
industry and commerce provide a wide range of information on the structure of the UK
economy covering employment, wages, sales and factory gate prices. Data can be used in
assessing an area for relocation in terms of potential competitors, business customer
bases, supply businesses, available workforce, and remaining market potential.
Darra Singh is Chief Executive of Hexagon
Housing Association. He is pictured with
his Senior Administration Officer, Mary
Scanlan, and Finance Director, Chris
Birchall, on the site of their new offices
in South London. ONS’s statistics on
industry and commerce provide a wide range of information on the structure of the UK
economy covering employment, wages, sales and factory gate prices. Data can be used in
assessing an area for relocation in terms of potential competitors, business customer
bases, supply businesses, available workforce, and remaining market potential.
TO IMPROVE VALUE FOR MONEY AND OPERATE EFFICIENTLY AND
EFFECTIVELY (D)
Efficiency savings achieved by ONS in 1998–99 amounted to £9.26 million.These were
gained by consistent efforts across all Groups to improve on their target figures, together
with the savings now starting to accrue from rationalisation of our London accommodation.
Over the past three years, since the creation of ONS, we have achieved efficiency savings
of £22.5 million.
ONS EFFICIENCY REVIEW
To identify future efficiency savings for reinvestment into improved outputs a review was
undertaken by KPMG in September 1998 with the following terms of reference:
To review the scope for improving the efficiency with which ONS delivers its
planned outputs; and to identify quantified proposals for savings. The review will
examine the scope for radical changes for both direct service delivery and support
services, for example through innovative use of technology, increased public-
private partnerships, business process re-engineering and rationalisation.
KPMG presented their findings to an independent Steering Group, chaired by Peter Ellwood of
Lloyds-TSB, who reported their recommendations to the Economic Secretary to the Treasury
(EST) on 5 February 1999.The EST approved the recommendations on 24 February 1999.An
Efficiency Review Programme Steering Group has been set up to implement a programme of
action to deliver the savings identified of around £20 million per year after four years.
2001 CENSUS
Our public service agreement commits us to achieving a good value for money Census in
2001.The preparation for Census day 2001 has been progressing steadily.The results of
the Census Test, carried out in June 1997, were completed this year and had a large input
into the decision-making process in relation to areas such as form design and data
collection. In the drive to improve the cost-effectiveness of the operation we are
harnessing outside experience.The results from the Census Test helped us to design the
specification for the contracts. Five major contracts, valued at a total cost of around £50
million, were awarded to handle a number of key activities including the printing,
distribution, collection and processing of the forms and the field staff payroll.
The Census Test was also used to test the acceptability of questions related to sensitive
issues.This work informed the 2001 Census White Paper which was laid before Parliament
on 4 March.The year ended with the culmination of the planning for the Census Dress
Rehearsal which is to be conducted in April 1999.
OFFICE AUTOMATION
In September 1998 the ONS Policy Board agreed a three-year vision for ONS office
automation (OA) that:
ONS staff will be skilled and knowledgeable and make cost-effective use of the
OA environment. Lotus Notes will underpin their day-to-day activities, providing
access to all the information, systems and communications resources they need
and supporting process control and work-flow management. It will support these
activities regardless of whether staff are working at their desk, at another ONS
location or away from the office. In-house paper usage will be reduced to 25 per
cent of 1998 levels and ONS will reduce its expenditure on software licenses for
the OA environment by 50 per cent.
O F F I C E - W I D E AC T I V I T I E S
19 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
GOAL
Ernest Peck is 79 and
sells newspapers from a
stand outside the Bank of
England, where some of the
key national macroeconomic
decisions are made. ONS
economic statistics play
an important role in the management and monitoring of the economy. They are used for
analyses within government, the City, business and academia and, directly or indirectly,
have a bearing on citizens like Ernest whose lives are affected by changing economic
conditions. Data on money supply and credit, banks and building societies, interest and
exchange rates are published in the monthly Financial Statistics.
Ernest Peck is 79 and
sells newspapers from a
stand outside the Bank of
England, where some of the
key national macroeconomic
decisions are made. ONS
economic statistics play
an important role in the management and monitoring of the economy. They are used for
analyses within government, the City, business and academia and, directly or indirectly,
have a bearing on citizens like Ernest whose lives are affected by changing economic
conditions. Data on money supply and credit, banks and building societies, interest and
exchange rates are published in the monthly Financial Statistics.
This vision represents a significant change in the way ONS operates and offers substantial
opportunities for improving our efficiency, effectiveness and quality.
Planning for the Year 2000 continued. During the year the central Year 2000 team
resources were increased by 50 per cent.
To ensure that staff are aware of the potential problems of the Millennium Bug we held
a series of workshops covering: testing strategy; risk assessment and contingency planning;
and millennium business planning.
We have an extensive programme to ensure all ONS systems are Year 2000 compliant.
At the end of March 1999 we had completed 70 per cent of IT systems and 75 per cent
of embedded systems.We have also prepared draft Millennium Business Plans.
Work on compliance continues into 1999–2000. Our target date for completion of
business critical systems is September 1999.
TO MAINTAIN AND DEVELOP A WELL-MOTIVATED WORKFORCE (E)
ONS invited all staff to participate in the annual Staff Perception Survey in late 1998.
73.6 per cent of staff completed the questionnaire; an increased response rate from 1997
(72.9 per cent). Overall responses to the full range of questions showed an improvement
in ratings of 5 to 6 per cent.
The specific survey question ‘my job makes good use of my relevant skills and abilities’ is
used as a measure of this goal.The rating improved but did not meet the target. See
Annex A on page 24 for details.
Investors in People
The ONS office in Southport and the Family Records Centre in London received
Investors in People accreditation in July 1998. At the same time the remainder of
the Office was undergoing its pre-assessment. Following on from the results of
that pre-assessment, action plans were completed to achieve our goal of full
accreditation. Taking forward the recommendations of the ONS Efficiency Review
will provide us with an additional challenge but we are committed to developing
and carrying forward work resulting from the review in a way that is consistent
with achievement of IiP.
21 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
GOAL
22 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
The next few years will see considerable change for ONS.The ONS Efficiency Review
recommendations focused on reducing costs through a combination of further
streamlining of our activities and working more closely with appropriate private sector
organisations.This was expected to lead to the transfer of around 680 jobs to the private
sector under TUPE arrangements and to 350 posts which would no longer be required.
This does not take account of the new posts that will be created as a result of recycling
the savings into new outputs.The programme of action designed to deliver these savings
is underway.
The management team at the top of the office has also been changed as a result of the
Efficiency and Average Earnings Reviews.Two new statistical Directorates, economic and
social, have been created to improve coherence, and the post of Director of Methodology
and Quality has been created to strengthen quality control. Registration will report direct
to the Registrar General,Tim Holt. A new post of Director of Finance and Corporate
Services has been created to lead the change programme.These posts will be advertised
and filled in the coming year.The four new directors will form, with Tim Holt, the new
ONS Executive Committee.
CROSS-CUTTING COMMITTEES
› Human Resources Committee
› Information Systems Committee
› Methodology and Quality Committee
SENIOR MANAGEMENT PAY COMMITTEE
AUDIT COMMITTEE
The ONS Audit Committee provides the assurance to the Director on its internal
audit programme.
Throughout these organisational changes the regular work of producing the current and
future new statistical and registration services on which our many customers depend will
continue.The ONS Business Plan 1999–2002 outlines our plans for the next three years
detailing how we will continue to develop our services to meet the changing needs of our
customers.These include:
› developing the Public Sector accounts, balance sheets and fiscal indicators;
› implementing the ESA requirements for regional accounts;
› developing a monthly index of service sector output;
› enhancing trend and longitudinal analyses;
› improving migration statistics, population estimates and projections;
› developing the Social Focus series;
› introducing new analyses covering variations in demography and health;
› enhancing analysis on cross-cutting issues;
› providing support on the Bill dealing with Welsh Language Registration issues and
changes to marriage law in the Immigration and Asylum Bill;
› developing the ‘Traceline’ service; and
› reviewing the future of the NHS Central Register in the context of the NHS wider
information needs.
1999–2000 includes the challenge of beating the Millennium Bug.We are working to
ensure that all of our computer systems are Year 2000 compliant and that we have
contingency plans to deal with any problems that may emerge. Our Millennium Business
Plans are aimed at minimising disruption.
T H E F U T U R E
ONS GOVERNANCE
Executive Committee
plus 2 non-Executive Directors
The Census Dress Rehearsal took place in April 1999. It provides the opportunity to test
the procedures for the Census proper in 2001.The results of this exercise will help us fine
tune the arrangements for April 2001.
The registration review is expected to come forward with some radical proposals to
bring the registration service up to date. However, fundamental change will depend on
legislative reform.
The Government response to the Green Paper, Statistics – A matter of trust, is
expected to be published soon.The future of National Statistics will have an impact not
only on ONS but also across the whole of the Government Statistical Service. Devolution
will in addition change the environment in which we operate.
With all the changes expected to take place, within the Office and externally, it is
particularly important that we remain flexible to changing needs.Throughout all these
changes our five goals remain key in driving forward our work programme.
23 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
1998-99 TARGET
TO GOVERNMENT:
To receive formal recognition from HMT,
DH, DTI and DfEE that performance has
improved in line with negotiated
concordats and targets.
TO THE CITIZEN:
To respond to all public enquiries about
statistical activities within ten days.
TO BUSINESS:
To increase from the 1997–98 level the
number of businesses using statistics issued
by ONS.
To increase from the 1997–98 level the
percentage who express themselves as
satisfied with the service provided.
TO ALL CUSTOMERS:
To release all publications in accordance
with pre-announced dates.
To meet all detailed targets for the
registration service.
To continue to measure public confidence
in official statistics and public recognition of
ONS and to take forward the proposals
set out in Statistics: A Matter of Trust.
SUCCESS CRITERIA
TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY,
RELEVANCE AND ACCESSIBILITY OF
OUR SERVICES TO ALL CUSTOMERS
TO IMPROVE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN
OUR OUTPUTS
PERFORMANCE
See opposite for comments from HMT,
DH, DTI and DfEE.
Over 130,000 substantive enquiries
answered within the target response date.
Number of businesses using ONS statistics
rose to 30.7 per cent.Those describing
themselves as very or completely satisfied,
fell to 22.2 per cent, however the mean
satisfaction score rose from 5.0 to 5.1.
None of these changes are statistically
significant.
All high profile First Releases were
published to schedule. Of the 421
publications published by ONS, 91 per
cent were released in accordance with
the pre-announced dates.The reasons for
delays to 31 reports were:
a: delays in data processing – 17 reports
b: problems during the printing stage –
three reports
c: date announced before production
schedules finalised – 11 reports
(the method of reporting release
dates changed for some titles.This led
to some incorrect information being
announced in the early part of the year)
GRO met its targets for service availability.
93 per cent of casework was dealt with
by the target date (five days for urgent
correspondence and 20 days for other).
84 per cent of certificates were provided
within the stated target time.There were
particular difficulties in providing (non-
urgent) postal certificates primarily due
to a 22 per cent rise in demand.
In spite of frequent reference to ONS in
the media in the last year, and extensive
coverage of the problems with the Average
Earnings Index, public awareness of ONS
as the body mainly responsible for
government statistics was, at 5 per cent,
the same in March 1999 as in the two
ANNEX A – PERFORMANCE AGAINST TARGETS 19 9 8 – 9 9
24 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
1998-99 TARGET
To limit business compliance costs to no
more than £20.7 million in accordance
with the compliance plan.
To achieve the efficiency improvements
identified in the efficiency plan totalling
£6.2 million.
To conduct a staff perception survey to
measure progress from 1997–98 and to
achieve an improved rating of over 65 per
cent on the question ‘my job makes good
use of my relevant skills and abilities’.
SUCCESS CRITERIA
TO IMPROVE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN
OUR OUTPUTS (CONT)
TO MINIMISE THE BURDEN ON THOSE
WHO SUPPLY US WITH DATA,
SUBJECT TO THE NEEDS OF
GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY FOR
HIGH QUALITY INFORMATION
TO IMPROVE VALUE FOR MONEY AND
OPERATE EFFICIENTLY AND
EFFECTIVELY
TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A WELL
MOTIVATED WORKFORCE
PERFORMANCE
previous years.There was also little change
between 1998 and 1999 in public
perceptions of the accuracy of the RPI or
of the unemployment figures.
The difficulties with the AEI appear to
have had little impact on the general
public: only 41 per cent said that they
thought the AEI was generally or
sometimes misleading, compared with 53
per cent in relation to the RPI and as many
as 66 per cent in relation to the
unemployment figures.
The White Paper on National Statistics
has not yet been published.
Compliance costs were estimated at
£20.5 million.
Efficiency savings of £9.26 million were
identified.
Overall responses showed an improvement
in ratings of 5 to 6 per cent. A rating of 64
per cent was achieved against the specific
question.This was an increase on last year’s
rating but it failed to meet the target.
25 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
Assessment of performance from major departmental customers
HMT recognised that many aspects of the service it received had been satisfactory
or more than satisfactory, but in some respects expectations had not been met.
DH acknowledged that our performance against agreed targets has improved in
five out of 11 Service Level Agreements (SLA), remained the same in five; and
slightly deteriorated in one (largely the result of loss of skilled staff).
DTI reported that in three areas ONS service was excellent, in 19 areas it was
good, in three it was satisfactory and in four it was unsatisfactory. Co-operation
between colleagues in ONS and DTI was good.
DfEE’s performance assessment underlying the concordat emphasises four central
aspects of ONS service: delivery of data; consultation and communication;
technical advice; and data quality; as well as some specific issues for the current
year. DfEE’s assessment is that overall performance is good and ONS has sought
to improve quality on a range of fronts.
Gill Whitworth is 59; she had polio
when she was 17 and requires
personal assistance 24 hours a day.
Her disability doesn’t stop her
from being a member of a number of
committees, publishing the local
church paper and singing in a
choir. She lives with her mother, Evelyn, who is 92. In the UN International Year of the Older
Person, ONS’s Social Focus on Older People reports on experiences, lifestyles and attitudes
of older people in the UK today.
Gill Whitworth is 59; she had polio
when she was 17 and requires
personal assistance 24 hours a day.
Her disability doesn’t stop her
from being a member of a number of
committees, publishing the local
church paper and singing in a
choir. She lives with her mother, Evelyn, who is 92. In the UN International Year of the Older
Person, ONS’s Social Focus on Older People reports on experiences, lifestyles and attitudes
of older people in the UK today.
Number of staff recruited on either a permanent or fixed-term basis not including
casual appointments.
PAY NUMBER PERCENTAGE OF PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE WITH
BAND RECRUITED ETHNIC MINORITIES OF WOMEN DISABILITIES
SCS 1 0 100 0
C4 5 20 60 20
C3 8 0 50 0
C2 2 0 50 0
C1 3 0 66 0
B2 9 0 44 0
B1 33 0 50 0
A2 199 1 65 2
A1 73 1 67 0
Exceptions permitted by the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Code during
1998–99 were:
› Nine cases where casual staff appointments were extended beyond 12 months up to 23
months. All these extensions were to enable the staff concerned to complete projects.
› Three TSOs had their contracts converted from casual to fixed term.
› One secondee joined the department.
› Three members of staff joined ONS on re-employment terms.
In 1998 ONS introduced major revisions to the Average Earnings Index (AEI).These were
planned to correct for various shortcomings of the Index including the need to keep pace
with the changing structure of the economy. Improvements to the coverage of companies
in expanding parts of the economy started in April 1998 with first results published in
August 1998. In October 1998 further changes were introduced.
Whilst preparing the second set of changes it emerged that the changes to the
coverage of companies had not been applied correctly and revised figures were issued in
early October.The second set of changes in mid-October also generated concerns
amongst economic commentators about the new methodology. As a result the Chancellor
of the Exchequer commissioned a review of the changes and the Director of ONS took
the decision to suspend publication of the Index.
This programme of intensive scrutiny identified a number of shortcomings in the Index.
Some were significant in the original Index; others were accentuated in the Index of 14
October. Amongst other things, the revised methodology increased the chance that the
index could be sharply affected by wage movements in some individual firms.This scrutiny
highlighted important lessons which ONS is determined to learn.
The review was published in March 1999. At the same time, the Index was reinstated,
incorporating the revised methodology recommended in the review. In all, there were 37
recommendations spanning a range from detailed technical methodological issues to
internal management practice within ONS. A change programme has been agreed, a
programme manager at Board level has been appointed and projects have been
established to carry forward each recommendation.This will be a major task for ONS
during 1999–2000.
A N N E X B – R E C R U I T M E N T 19 9 8 – 9 9
A N N E X C – AV E R AG E E A R N I N G S I N D E X
27 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
HIGH PROFILE REGULAR OUTPUTS
– FIRST RELEASES
› Engineering Turnover and Orders
› Index of Production
› Machine Tools
› Motor Vehicle production
› Producer Prices
› Retail Sales
› Acquisitions and Mergers involving
UK Companies
› Distributive and Services Trade
› GB Cinema Exhibitors
› Institutional Investment
› Stocks (provisional; final)
› Business Enterprise Research and
Development
› Gross Domestic Expenditure on R&D
› Overseas Direct Investment
› UK Trade
› Public Sector Finances
› Retail Price Index
› Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices
› Balance of Trade in Goods
› Public Sector Borrowing Requirement
› Business Investments
› GDP Preliminary Estimate
› Government Deficit and Debt under the
Maastricht Treaty
› Institutional Investment
› Public Sector Accounts
› United Kingdom Balance of Payments
› United Kingdom National Accounts
› UK Output, Income and Expenditure
› Capital Expenditure (provisional)
› Capital Expenditure (final)
› Profitability of UK Companies
SUBJECT AND FREQUENCY
COMMERCE, ENERGY AND INDUSTRY
monthly
quarterly
annual
THE ECONOMY
monthly
quarterly
annual
OTHER REGULAR AND OUTPUTS
– REPORTS
› Aerospace and Electronic Cost Indices
(MM19)
› Motor Vehicle Production and New
Registrations (PM34.10)
› Producer Prices Indices (MM22)
› Retail Sales (SDM28)
› Price Index Numbers for Current Cost
Accounting (MM17)
› Assets and Liabilities of Finance Houses
and other credit companies (SDQ7)
› Insurance Companies and Trusts
Investment (MQ5)
› Product Sales and Trades reports (35 vols)
› Sector Reviews reports (4 vols)
› Stockbuilding (SQ1)
› Mineral Extraction in Great Britain
(PA1007)
› Production and Construction Inquiries -
summary volume (PA1002)
› Product Sales and Trade reports (1 vol)
› Research and Development in UK
Business (MA14)
› Sector Review reports (5 vols)
› Size Analysis of UK Businesses (PA1003)
› UK Trade in Services (UKA1)
› Economic Trends
› Financial Statistics
› Monthly Review of External Trade
Statistics (MM24)
› Retail Price Index (MM23)
› Consumer Trends
› Overseas Trade analysed in terms of
Industries (MQ10)
› United Kingdom Economic Accounts
› Economic Trends Annual Supplement
› Input-Output Balances for the UK
› Overseas Direct Investment (MA4)
› United Kingdom Balance of Payments
(Pink Book)
› United Kingdom National Accounts
(Blue Book)
ANNEX D – ONS PUBLISHING APRIL 1998 – MARCH 1999
28 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
HIGH PROFILE REGULAR OUTPUTS
– FIRST RELEASES
› Integrated Labour Market statistics
–
–
› Weekly deaths in England and Wales
› Legal Abortions
› Legal Abortions
› Cancer Registrations
› Mortality Statistics
› Deaths – all ages: infant; perinatal
› Sudden Infant Deaths
› Population Estimates – UK, mid-year
› Births
› Marriages and Divorces
› International Migration (UK)
› Population Projections
› Family Expenditure Survey
› UK Electoral Statistics – local
government electors
› Welsh Electoral Statistics
› Overseas Travel and Tourism
–
–
–
–
SUBJECT AND FREQUENCY
LABOUR MARKET
monthly
quarterly
annual
HEALTH AND CARE
monthly
quarterly
annual
POPULATION AND MIGRATION
quarterly
annual
SOCIAL AND WELFARE
annual
TRANSPORT, TRAVEL AND TOURISM
monthly
quarterly
annual
REFERENCE AND COMPENDIA
monthly
annual
OTHER REGULAR AND OUTPUTS
– REPORTS
› Labour Market Trends
› Labour Force Survey quarterly supplement
› Annual Employment Survey
› New Earnings Survey
–
› Health Statistics Quarterly
› Legal Abortions (Monitor)
› Abortions Statistics
› Legal Abortions (Monitor)
› Cancer Registrations
› Cancer Registrations (Monitor)
› Congenital Anomalies
› Deaths by Certain Causes (Monitor)
› Key Health Statistics from General Practice
› Mortality – causes (DH2)
› Mortality – childhood (DH3)
› Mortality – general/area (DH1)
› Mortality – injury and poisoning (DH4)
› Infant and Perinatal Mortality (Monitor)
› Sudden Infant Deaths (Monitor)
› Population Trends
› Births (FM1)
› Births (Monitor)
› International Migration (UK) (MN)
› Key Population and Vital Statistics (PP1/VS)
› Marriages and Divorces (FM2)
› Divorce (Monitor)
› Marriage (Monitor)
› Electoral Statistics (UK) (Monitor)
› Family Spending
–
› Overseas Travel and Tourism (MQ6)
› Travel Trends
› Monthly Digest of Statistics
› Annual Abstract of Statistics
› Britain Handbook
› Regional Trends
› Social Trends
29 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
30 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
AD-HOC PUBLICATIONS APRIL 1998–MARCH 1999
COMPENDIA AND REFERENCE
› Focus on London
› Focus on the South West
› Gazetteer of the old and new geographies of the UK
› ESRC Review of Government Social Classifications
› Tracking People: A guide to longitudinal social sources
› Report of the 1998 Review of the Longitudinal Study
THE ECONOMY
› UK Environmental Accounts
› Economic Trends Digest of Articles
› European System of Accounts – Concepts, Sources and Methods (2 volumes)
› Introducing the European System of Accounts 1995 in the United Kingdom
› Sector Classification for the National Accounts
› Share Ownership 1997
HEALTH AND CARE
› Informal Carers
› Health in England
› Prisoners' Psychiatric Survey
› Teenage Smoking Attitudes Survey 1997
› Omnibus Survey – Smoking-related behaviour and attitudes 1997
› Omnibus Survey – Drinking; adults behaviour and knowledge in 1998
› Omnibus Survey – Contraception and Sexual Health in 1997
GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR
› GSS Methodology Series – (9 reports)
TRANSPORT, TRAVEL AND TOURISM
› National Travel Survey Technical Report
SOCIAL AND WELFARE
› Family Resources Survey Technical Report
› Social Focus on the Unemployed
› Social Trends Pocketbook
› Social Focus on Women and Men
› Social Trends Quarterly – Pilot Edition
31 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
FOREWORD TO THE ACCOUNTS
ACCOUNTS
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
ACCOUNTS DIRECTION
STATEMENT OF AGENCY’S AND DIRECTOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES
STATEMENT OF THE SYSTEM OF INTERNAL FINANCIAL CONTROL
AUDIT CERTIFICATE
AC C O U N T S 1 9 9 8 – 9 9
32
35
40
53
55
56
58
32
INTRODUCTION
The Accounts for the year ended 31 March 1999 have been prepared on an accruals basis
in accordance with a direction given by HM Treasury dated 11 November 1997 in
pursuance of section 5(1) of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act 1921.The
Accounts are subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENTS
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) was formed on 1 April 1996 by the merger of the
Central Statistical Office (CSO) and the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys (OPCS).
› ONS has continued to develop its financial management and accounting systems to
meet the developing needs of the organisation and the requirements of Resource
Accounting and Budgeting.
› A new Principal Finance Officer and a new Director of Finance have been appointed
and increased staff resources are now devoted to the Accounts production process
with full management reviews.
› An updated version of our Executive Information System has now been fully installed
giving managers easier access to financial information held on the main accounting system.
› A Year 2000 version of our CHAMELEON accounting software was loaded, tested and
put into operation in December. However, the software supplier subsequently advised us
of a potential Y2K problem. Action is in hand to resolve this by 31 July 1999 at the latest.
› ONS’s banking services requirements were put out to competitive tender.The
Paymaster now operates all facilities, including a EURO account.
› Reviews of account coding and overheads procedures were undertaken with new
arrangements being introduced on 1 April 1999.
› A Year 2000 compliant time recording system was developed and became operational
from 1 April 1999.
› Accounting arrangements were made for the introduction of the Government Purchase
Card on 1 April 1999.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
› ONS will continue to develop its financial management and accounting systems to meet
the developing needs of the organisation, the requirements of Resource Accounting and
Budgeting, and the Green Paper, Statistics: A Matter of Trust.
› As part of the ONS Efficiency Review we will examine the options for improving the
cost effectiveness of our accounts processing work.
› A trial Resource Account will be prepared for 1998–99.
MILLENNIUM BUSINESS PLANNING
The Office for National Statistics has continued its programme of work to ensure
continuity of service to users of its services and products through the end of century date
change marking the new millennium. A member of the ONS Executive as the sponsor for
the ONS Y2K Programme chairs the programme board. Progress is monitored closely,
reporting to the ONS Executive Committee. Regular reports are sent to the Cabinet
Office via CCTA, and to the ONS Minister the Economic Secretary to the Treasury.
To provide an independent check on the state of the programme, ONS commissioned
Impact to carry out a Y2K Readiness Review in January 1999.This was followed by Internal
Audit (KPMG) completing a report in June 1999, which ONS will respond to by the end
of July.
The scope of work remaining includes:
› completion of the remaining compliance programme by the end of September
› completion of ONS Millennium Business Plans by the end of August prior to the
commencement of the Change Moratorium period that starts on 1 September
F O R E WO R D T O T H E AC C O U N T S
ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
33 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
› continuing to review and test contingency plans by the end of October
All of the work is planned and fully resourced from both management and financial perspectives.
The total cost of the work is expected to be £2.9million.
FINANCIAL RESULTS
For the financial year ended 31 March 1999, ONS’s gross costs were £125.7m with
income of £30.5m. Income arises from a variety of sources including sales of registration
certificates, the provision of social surveys, sales of statistical data relating to business, the
economy, population and health and the provision of services, such as the National Health
Service Central Register, to other government departments.
ANALYSIS OF NET COST OF OUTPUT
The net cost of output (see page 35), attributed on a full economic cost basis, is as
follows:£000’S
1998–99
Statistical services 86,485Register services 8,679NET COST OF OUTPUT 95,164
ACCOUNTS DIRECTION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
The above review of Financial Management Developments and Financial Results
supplements the performance report on key targets shown in Annex A to the Director’s
Annual Report. In addition the other requirements of the schedule accompanying the
ONS Accounts Direction (including information on the background, history and activities
of ONS, details of Board members, and staffing policies) are shown in the Annual Report.
CASH MANAGEMENT
ONS is Vote funded (Class XVI,Vote 11). Provision and outturn for the year ended 31 March
1999, taking account of supplementary estimates and a cash limit adjustment, were as follows:£000’S £000’S
PROVISION OUTTURN
Running costs 126,581 121,935Other current 110 610Capital expenditure 5,817 6,050Receipts (32,368) (32,368)NET 100,140 96,227
FIXED ASSETS
ONS assets include computers and associated equipment, bespoke software developed
in-house, vehicles, office and other equipment.
ONS occupies rented accommodation in London at Drummond Gate, and Myddelton
Place. Rented accommodation is also occupied at Lancaster Court in Titchfield and at Runcorn.
Former Common User Estate property occupied in Newport,Titchfield, Christchurch,
and Southport valued at £12.826m was brought onto the Balance Sheet at 1 April 1998.
Capital Interest charge and Depreciation are charged to the Net Expenditure Account
and Revaluation to the Revaluation Reserve.
ASSETS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Assets under construction consist of in-house bespoke software and major works undertaken to
refurbish accommodation occupied.All significant expenditure will be capitalised on completion.
CREDITOR PAYMENT POLICY
ONS is committed to the CBI prompt payment code and aims to pay all invoices within 30
days of receipt of goods or presentation of a valid invoice, whichever is later. During the period
1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999, 95.6% of all relevant invoices were paid within 30 days.
34
POLICY ON DISABLED STAFF
ONS is committed to equal opportunities for disabled staff, including full implementation
of the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act. ONS has received Employment Service approval
for the use of the ‘Two Ticks’ symbol on stationery and advertisements to denote our
positive approach to disability.We publish an Equal opportunities program for action which
includes action for staff with disabilities.
STAFF INVOLVEMENT IN THE BUSINESS
ONS recognises the CPSA, PTC, IPMS and the FDA to represent staff. Formal and
informal discussions regularly take place on a number of matters of mutual interest. Staff
are also represented on the Health & Safety Committee, working with managers to
ensure a safe working environment.
Our published Visions and Values statement recognises the need to maintain a well-
motivated workforce by development of skills, teamwork and good management. ONS
has developed a new human resources policy and is currently working towards ‘Investors
in People’ accreditation.
Monthly briefing sessions are held for all staff.These are based on a cascaded message
from the Board (the Core Brief).They provide staff with an opportunity to respond to
issues raised in the Brief and to give feedback to the Board.
ONS is committed to the continued development of equal opportunities policies. Its
policies and practices on recruitment and promotion are based on the ability of
candidates to perform the job. Full and fair consideration is given to all candidates without
regard to issues of disablement, sex or ethnic origin.
MANAGEMENT BOARD
The Management Board at 31 March 1999 consisted of:
› Dr D Holt Director, Registrar General and Head of the GSS
› Dr M Pepper Business Statistics
› Mr J Kidgell Macro-Economic Statistics and Analysis
› Mr J Pullinger Socio-Economic Statistics and Analysis
› Dr J Fox Census, Population and Surveys
› Mr J Calder Statistical Support Services
› Mr D Roberts Administration Services and Registration
› Mrs G Batchelor Non-Executive Director
› Mr J Beaumont Non-Executive Director
Dr LD Mayhew, formerly Head of Administration Services and Registration, left ONS in
July to be replaced by Mr D Roberts who moved from Socio-Economic Statistics and
Analysis where he was replaced by Mr J Pullinger.
Mrs M Berg ceased to act as a Non-Executive Director in March 1998 and was
replaced by Mrs Batchelor.
Following the Efficiency Review and with effect from 1 April 1999 the Board will
consist of Dr Holt, the Non-Executive Directors and Mr Roberts, Dr Fox, Mr Kidgell and
Mr Calder.
Dr D Holt
Director
21 July 1999
ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
35 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
N E T E X P E N D I T U R E AC C O U N T
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 1999
1998–99 1997–98
NOTES £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
3, 4 119,947 122,816
9 3,009 3,532
5 408 (1,175)
6 31 164
7 2,303 1,863
125,698 127,200
8 (30,534) (29,405)
95,164 97,795
The Notes on pages 40 to 52 form part of these Accounts
All activities are classed as continuing
EXPENDITURE
Running costs
Depreciation
Notional superannuation
Other non-cash costs and services
provided from other Votes
Notional interest
Gross cost of output
INCOME
Less income from services supplied in year
NET COST OF OUTPUT
AC C O U N T S
36
B A L A N C E S H E E T
ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
AS AT 31 MARCH 1999
1998–99 1997–98RESTATED
NOTES £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
9 45,998 26,663
10 996 507
46,994 27,170
11 5,123 4,708
722 1,635
5,845 6,343
12 (4,122) (5,456)
1,723 887
48,717 28,057
14 (60) (161)
13 (2,834) (3,285)
(2,894) (3,446)
45,823 24,611
18 41,009 24,378
19 4,814 233
45,823 24,611
The Notes on pages 40 to 52 form part of these Accounts
Dr D Holt
Director
21 July 1999
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Fixed assets
Assets under construction
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors and prepayments
Cash at bank and in hand
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Creditors (due within one year)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS LESS
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Creditors (due after more than one year)
Provisions for liabilities and charges
FINANCED BY
General Reserve
Revaluation Reserve
37 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
C A S H F L OW S TAT E M E N T
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 1999
Reconciliation of net expenditure to net cash outflows from operating activities
1998–99 1997–98
NOTES £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
95,164 97,795
9 (3,009) (3,532)
9, 10 1,390 (180)
14 (67)
9 (202) (172)
14 (3) (9)
7 (2,303) (1,863)
6 (130)
6 (31) (34)
5 (408) 1,175
13 451 (1,475)
14 (161)
11 415 (1,493)
12 1,233 (473)
92,697 89,381
92,697 89,381
4,038 3,823
(10) 4,028 (35) 3,788
96,725 93,169
128,595 123,238
(32,368) (29,795)
96,227 93,443
(415) 321
95,812 93,764
(913) 595
(913) 595
(219) (800)
415 327
(717) 122
1,162 1,040
445 1,162
NET EXPENDITURE (from the Net Expenditure Account)
Adjustment for items not involving the movement of funds:
Depreciation
Reclassifications
Adjustment for finance lease/hire purchase
Losses on sale on fixed assets
Return on investments and servicing of finance
Interest
Insurance
Audit fee
Superannuation
Decrease in provisions
Finance lease obligation
Movement in net current assets:
Increase/(decrease) in debtors
Decrease/(increase) in creditors
NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
CASH FLOW STATEMENT
Net cash outflow from operating activities
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets
Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets
NET CASH OUTFLOW BEFORE FINANCING
FINANCING
Payments on ONS Appropriation Accounts
Receipts on ONS Appropriation Accounts
VOTE EXPENDITURE APPROPRIATED IN YEAR
Capital element of finance lease payments
(DECREASE)/ INCREASE IN CASH
RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET DEBT
Decrease in cash held in the period
New acquisition of 3 servers
Cash paid in respect of lease
Change in net funds
Net funds at 1 April
NET FUNDS AT 31 MARCH
The Notes on pages 40 to 52 form part of these Accounts
38
N O T E S T O T H E C A S H F L OW S TAT E M E N T
NOTE 1
ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET DEBT
AT OTHER AT
1 APRIL NON-CASH 31 MARCH
1998 CHANGES CASHFLOW 1999
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
Cash 1,635 0 (913) 722
Obligations (473) (219) 415 (277)
Total 1,162 (219) (498) 445
NOTE 2
MAJOR NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS
During the year ONS entered into a hire purchase arrangement for the acquisition of
computer equipment.
ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
39 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 1999
1998–99 1997–98
£’000 £’000
Net cost of output 95,164 97,795
Movement on Revaluation Reserve:
net gain on revaluation of assets (4,581) (232)
Total gains and losses recognised since 1 April 1998 90,583 97,563
The prior year adjustment (see Note 2) has no monetary effect on this Statement.
STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES
40
BASIS OF ACCOUNTING
The Accounts for the Office for National Statistics have been prepared in accordance with
the Accounts Direction issued by HM Treasury on 11 November 1997 pursuant to section
5(1) of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act 1921 (see page 53).
The Accounts follow the accruals concept of accounting and the historical cost
convention, modified to include revaluation of fixed assets as set out below.
Subject only to compliance with the requirements set out in the Accounts Direction,
the Accounts also:
› comply with the accounting disclosure requirements of the Companies Acts insofar as
they are consistent with the status of a Vote-funded Agency;
› comply with the accounting standards issued or adopted by the Accounting Standards
Board unless they are deemed to be inapplicable by the Treasury.
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible fixed assets are capitalised above an agreed threshold at cost on acquisition and
installation, or at their estimated current cost. Bespoke software is valued in accordance
with FRS15. Assets are revalued each year to take account of specific changes on the basis
of appropriate Producer Price Indices for :
› Computers
› Office equipment
› Motor vehicles
› Office machinery
› Building refurbishment
Furniture and PCs below the capitalisation threshold are not capitalised.
DEPRECIATION
Depreciation is calculated so as to write-off the revalued cost or the valuation of assets by
equal instalments over their estimated useful lives down to a residual value, as follows:
› Mainframes 7 years
› Bespoke software 7 years
› Proprietary software 4 years
› PCs 4 years
› Large office equipment 10 years
› Small office equipment 4 years
› Motor vehicles 5 years
› Buildings and refurbishments Remaining life of lease
ASSETS UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR DEVELOPMENT
Capitalised projects in the course of construction or development are not depreciated
until the year in which they become fully operational.
STOCKS
ONS holds a small stock of publications and CD-ROMs for resale.Their value is not
material and is not included on the Balance Sheet. Production costs and sales income are
charged to the Net Expenditure Account.
LEASES
Assets held under finance leases are included under tangible fixed assets at their capital
value and depreciated over their useful economic lives. Leasing payments consist of capital
and interest elements and the interest is charged to the Net Expenditure Account. Rentals
N O T E S T O T H E AC C O U N T S
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
41 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
due under operating leases are charged over the lease term on a straight-line basis or on
the basis of actual rentals payable where this fairly reflects usage.
HISTORIC DATA
Statistical and registration data have built up over many years and are stored for reference
purposes.The cost of storing and maintaining this data has been charged to the Net
Expenditure Account as incurred.
INTEREST ON CAPITAL
The financing structure of ONS does not include specific interest bearing debt, but to
ensure that the Net Expenditure Account bears an appropriate charge for the use of
capital in the business in the year, a notional interest charge is included. In accordance with
Treasury guidance, the calculation is based on a 6% rate of return on average net assets
employed at current values.
NOTIONAL INSURANCE PROVISION
The previous practice of making a notional insurance charge has been discontinued in line
with HM Treasury instructions.
VAT
ONS is registered for VAT purposes.
VAT is reclaimed on certain bought-in services as agreed with HM Customs and Excise.
Irrecoverable VAT is included either in the expenditure in the Net Expenditure Account or
in the cost of tangible fixed assets in the Balance Sheet.
INCOME
Income comprises the invoiced value of services supplied to the private sector, the wider
public sector and other government departments.
FOREIGN CURRENCY
Foreign currency transactions are translated at the exchange rate in force at the time of
the transaction. Exchange rate gains and losses are charged to the Net Expenditure Account.
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
ONS undertakes certain research into statistical and survey methodology. Costs are
charged to the Net Expenditure Account as they arise.
EARLY RETIREMENT
ONS operates an early retirement scheme which gives retirement benefits conforming
with the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme. ONS bears the costs of these benefits
until the normal retirement age of the employees.
42
In preparation for Resource Accounting, ONS has taken the opportunity to review its
accounting policy with regard to disclosure of the surplus/deficit grant drawn down from
the Consolidated Fund. In previous years this was included in the General Reserve
balance.We now consider it more appropriate and transparent to include it in the
Creditors balance on the Balance Sheet and as a separate line on Note 12.
The effects of the prior year adjustment on the previously reported figures are shown
below:
1997–98
BALANCE SHEET £’000
Creditors (due within one year) previously reported 3,076
Unused grant drawn down 2,380
Creditors (due within one year) restated 5,456
GENERAL RESERVE
General Reserve balance at 31 March 1998 previously reported 26,758
Unused grant drawn down (2,380)
General Reserve balance at 31 March 1998 restated 24,378
2. PRIOR YEAR ADJUSTMENT
ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
43 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
RUNNING COSTS INCLUDE:
1998–99 1997–98
£’000 £’000
Staff related costs 68,280 68,754
Accommodation and related services 13,856 19,570
Computer – current 7,170 5,939
Surveys and data collection costs 20,105 15,386
Other 10,536 13,167
119,947 122,816
1998–99 1997–98
£’000 £’000
› Remunerations (including the Director's), salaries and wages 56,256 54,892
Earnings related National Insurance contributions 4,067 3,946
Other related costs 615 2,803
60,938 61,641
› Superannuation 7,342 7,113
TOTAL STAFF RELATED COSTS 68,280 68,754
1998–99 1997–98
› Director's and Non-Executive Directors’ remunerations: £ £
The Director's total remunerations, excluding pension
contributions 99,881 97,533
The Director is a member of the Principal Civil Service
Pension Scheme
› Non-Executive Board Members (2) 4,732 12,145
3. RUNNING COSTS
4. STAFF DETAILS
A:
B:
44
› Senior employees
OTHER BOARD MEMBERS OTHER STAFF
Remunerations within the following ranges: 1998–99 1997–98 1998–99 1997–98
£30,000–£34,999 - - 91 70
£35,000–£39,999 - - 60 58
£40,000–£44,999 - - 36 31
£45,000–£49,999 - - 13 17
£50,000–£54,999 - - 9 8
£55,000–£59,999 1 - 6 7
£60,000–£64,999 - 2 2 -
£65,000–£69,999 3 1 - -
£70,000–£74,999 2 3 - -
£75,000–£79,999 - - - -
£80,000–£84,999 - - - 1
£85,000–£89,999 - - - -
£90,000–£94,999 - - 1 -
› Number of employees:The average number of full time equivalent employees in the
period 1 April to 31 March 1999 was 3,082.
› The staff related costs do not include the fees and expenses of the 817 fee-paid
interviewers employed on social surveys, which are included in the survey and data
collection costs.
› The employees of ONS are civil servants to whom the conditions of the
Superannuation Acts 1965, 1972 and subsequent amendments apply. For the period
ended 31 March 1999, contributions were paid to the Paymaster General at rates 12%
to 18% (according to grade) of salaries determined by the Government Actuary and
advised by HM Treasury.
C:
D:
E:
F:
ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
45 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
The full cost of the early retirement departure decisions taken so far this year is estimated
to be £637,000 and is being met in total by ONS.This has been offset by a reduction of
£78,000, due to an over estimate of 1998–99 expenditure on previous years’ decisions.
FUTURE1998–99 YEARS
£’000 £’000
Cost met by ONS 559 3,622
Net notional charge* 408 0
Net Expenditure Account 967 0
*The notional charge relates to decisions made prior to 1 April 1997.
1998–99 1997–98
£’000 £’000
National Audit Office audit fee note 1 31 34
Notional insurance note 2 0 130
31 164
Notes:
1. The National Audit Office does not charge fees for the audit of On Vote Agencies.The notional audit fee however,
represents the full cost of services provided.
2. On HM Treasury instructions, notional insurance is no longer charged to the Net Expenditure Account.
5. EARLY RETIREMENT COSTS
6. OTHER NOTIONAL COSTS
AND SERVICES
46
1998–99 1997–98
£’000 £’000
Interest on fixed capital (see Note 15) 778 0
Interest on working capital 1,525 1,863
2,303 1,863
The interest on capital employed is calculated at 6%.
For the purposes of company law and accounting standards, ONS has only one class of
business, the vast majority of which arises in the UK.The following information is given to
satisfy the additional disclosure requirements of the HM Treasury Fees and Charges Guide,
in accordance with paragraph 3 of the Agency's Accounts Direction.
The only area of business where fee levels are regulated by statute is the supply of
Registration Certificates.The financial objective is to recover full economic costs taking one
year with another.The expenditure and income relating to Certificates was:
1998–99 1997–98
£’000 £’000
Income 5,191 4,806
Expenditure 4,585 4,786
Surplus in year 606 20
The balance of income, £25,343,000 (£24,599,000 in 1997–98), comes from services
supplied, such as social surveys and the National Health Service Central Register, and from
the sale of publications and data.
7. NOTIONAL INTEREST ON
CAPITAL EMPLOYED
8. INCOME
ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
47 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
LAND AND COMPUTERS MOTOR OFFICE
BUILDINGS (1) VEHICLES MACHINERY TOTAL
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
Valuation at 1 April 1998 17,748 17,243 154 3,022 38,167
Additions (note 2) 18 2,565 41 431 3,055
Transfers from assets
under construction 626 280 0 0 906
Reclassifications (note 3) 13,560 626 (3) (169) 14,014
Disposals (note 4) 0 (982) (33) (223) (1,238)
Revaluation (note 5) 4,707 0 2 (21) 4,688
Valuation at 31 March 1999 36,659 19,732 161 3,040 59,592
Depreciation provision
at 1 April 1998 859 8,736 71 1,838 11,504
Charge in year 1,551 4,812 32 358 6,753
Reclassifications 143 (2,759) (8) (1,120) (3,744)
Disposals (note 4) 0 (843) (26) (157) (1,026)
Revaluation 109 0 1 (3) 107
Depreciation provision
at 31 March 1999 2,662 9,946 70 916 13,594
Net book value at current cost:
At 1 April 1998 16,889 8,507 83 1,184 26,663
At 31 March 1999 33,997 9,786 91 2,124 45,998
Notes:
1. Included within Computers are finance leases with a net value of £370,000 for which £146,000 was allocated as
depreciation for the period.
2. ONS entered into a hire purchase arrangement to acquire 3 servers.
3. The main reclassifications represent:
a) the bringing onto the Balance Sheet of land and buildings, and
b) in preparation for Resource Accounting in 1999–2000, the opportunity has been taken to review and rationalise the price
indices used for Modified Historic Cost Accounting, the cumulative backlog depreciation and the lives of certain assets.
4. Assets to the value of £1,238,000 were disposed of during 1998–99.These assets had a carrying value of
£212,000 for which £10,000 was received leaving £202,000 to be charged to the Net Expenditure Account.
5. The downward revaluation (£2,517,000) in computers has been included within the depreciation charge for the year,
as per FRS11.
9. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
48
IN-HOUSE
SOFTWARE BUILDINGS
PROJECTS REFURBISHMENT TOTAL
£’000 £’000 £’000
Opening balance 507 0 507
In year expenditure 391 802 1,193
Reclassification (note) (12) 214 202
Transfers to fixed assets (280) (626) (906)
Closing balance 606 390 996
Note:The reclassification relates to:
a) the net effect of expenditure on a software project being expensed in the 1997–98 Account and the total
expenditure on another software project not reaching the capitalisation limit, and
b) refurbishment work expensed in the 1997–98 Account.
CAPITAL COMMITMENTS
The capital commitments at 31 March 1999 were:
£’000
Contracted for : 504
10. ASSETS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
49 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
1998–99 1997–98
£’000 £’000
Trade debtors (less provisions) 2,593 2,397
Staff 416 693
Other 0 260
Prepayments 1,710 1,358
Undrawn grant (note) 404 0
Total 5,123 4,708
Note:The undrawn grant is the surplus Vote held on ONS's behalf by the Consolidated Fund.
AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
1998–99 1997–98RESTATED
£’000 £’000
Trade creditors 202 0
Staff creditors 0 0
Other creditors 233 222
Accruals 1,471 1,466
Net obligations under finance leases/
hire purchase (Note 14) 220 321
Deferred income 27 355
Consolidated fund extra receipts 1,181 0
Unused grant drawn down (Note 2) 0 2,380
3,334 4,744
Provision for early retirement (Note 13) 788 712
Total 4,122 5,456
Note:The movement in creditors, net of capital creditors, is £1,233,000.
BALANCE AT CHARGED TRANSFERRED BALANCE AT
1 APRIL TO NET EXP. TO 31 MARCH
1998 ACCOUNT APPLIED CREDITORS 1999
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
Provision for early retirement 3,285 559 (222) (788) 2,834
3,285 559 (222) (788) 2,834
11. DEBTORS
12. CREDITORS
13. PROVISION FOR LIABILITIES
AND CHARGES
50
LAND AND
BUILDINGS OTHER
£’000 £’000
Operating leases which expire:
within one year 0 102
in the second to fifth years inclusive 0 0
over five years 3,315 0
3,315 102
Note: During 1998–99 ONS's expenditure on operating leases amounted to £6,768,000. Of this £6,666,000 was in
respect of rent on land and buildings, including a one-off severance payment for St Catherine’s House, and £102,000
was on other leases.
Finance lease obligations:
Payments due within:
one year 161
two to five years 0
more than five years 0
161
Hire purchase obligations:
Payments due within:
one year 59
two to five years 60
more than five years 0
119
Note: During 1998–99 ONS acquired 3 servers under a 0% hire purchase agreement.
14. LEASE OBLIGATIONS
ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
51 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
Property Repayment Services (PRS) rents were abolished on 31 March 1998. On Treasury
instructions property values have therefore been included on the Balance Sheet, where
ONS is the sole or major occupier (Note 9). Notional interest on capital employed (Note
7) now includes a charge for these assets.
ONS land and buildings were valued at 30 June 1995 on an Open Market Value for
Existing Use basis.Valuations were carried out for Property Holdings by independent firms
of professional valuers, these being King Sturge for the Christchurch and Newport sites,
Jones Lang Wootton for Titchfield and Edmund Kirby for Southport. Revaluation indices,
supplied by HM Treasury, were applied to those valuations in order to calculate the 1 April
1998 values shown in Note 9. A professional Revaluation will take place in 2000.
ONS has two industrial tribunals and one industrial injury case outstanding. Judgement is
still pending so the amount of the liability is not known.
ONS has had various material transactions with other government departments and other
central government bodies. Most of these transactions have been with HM Treasury and the
Departments of Health, Environment,Transport and the Regions,Trade & Industry and
Education & Employment.
During the period reported on, none of the Board Members, members of the key
management staff or other related parties had undertaken any material transactions with ONS.
One senior manager is seconded to EUROSTAT, where he is spearheading their corporate
planning programme. He is not in a position to influence the awarding of contracts to ONS.
During the period 1 April 1998 to 30 June 1998 the Chief Executive, Dr Holt, was on unpaid
leave from Southampton University. Dr Holt resigned from the University on 1 July 1998.
15. PROPERTY
16. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
17. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
52
1998–99 1997–98
£’000 £’000
General Reserve at 1 April 24,378 29,864
Downward revaluation of assets
charged to the Net Expenditure Account 1,255
Land and buildings brought on charge 12,826
Finance lease (1,100)
Net Voted expenditure 96,227 93,443
Non-cash items 2,742 1,091
Net expenditure (95,164) (97,795)
Prior year adjustment (Note 2) (2,380)
General Reserve at the end of the period 41,009 24,378
1998–99 1997–98
£’000 £’000
Revaluation Reserve at 1 April 233 1
Surplus on revaluation 4,581 232
Revaluation Reserve at the end of the period 4,814 233
18. GENERAL RESERVE
19. REVALUATION RESERVE
ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
53 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
1. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) shall prepare Accounts for the financial year
ended 31 March 1998 and subsequent financial years comprising:
› a Foreword
› a Net Expenditure Account
› a Balance Sheet
› a Cash Flow Statement, and
› a Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses
including such Notes as may be necessary for the purposes referred to in the following
paragraphs.
2. The Accounts shall give a true and fair view of the income and expenditure, and cash
flows for the financial year and the state of affairs as at the end of the financial year.
3. Subject to this requirement, the Accounts shall be prepared in accordance with;
› generally accepted accounting practice in the United Kingdom (UK GAAP);
› the disclosure and accounting requirements contained in The Fees and Charges Guide (in
particular those relating to the need for segmental information for services or forms of
services provided) and in any other guidance which the Treasury may issue from time to
time in respect of Accounts which are required to give a true and fair view;
› the accounting and disclosure requirements of Government Accounting (in particular
Chapter 16) and the Treasury’s guidance paper Next Steps Agencies - Annual Reports and
Accounts (February 1993), as amended or augmented from time to time,
insofar as these are appropriate to the ONS and are in force for the financial year for
which the Accounts are to be prepared.
4. Clarification of the application of the accounting and disclosure requirements of the
Companies Act and accounting standards is given in Schedule 1 attached. Additional
disclosure requirements are set out in Schedule 2 attached.
5. The Net Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet shall be prepared under the historical
cost convention modified by the inclusion of:
› fixed assets at their value to the business by reference to current costs; and
› stocks at the lower of net current replacement cost (or historical cost if this is not
materially different) and net realisable value.
6. This Direction shall be reproduced as an appendix to the Accounts. It will not be
necessary to reproduce the Pro Forma Accounts.
J Mortimer
Treasury Officer of Accounts
11 November 1997
AC C O U N T S D I R E C T I O N
ACCOUNTS DIRECTION GIVEN BY
HM TREASURY IN ACCORDANCE
WITH SECTION 5(1) OF THE
EXCHEQUER AND AUDIT
DEPARTMENTS ACT 1921
54
COMPANIES ACT
1. The disclosure exemptions permitted by the Companies Act shall not apply to the ONS
unless specifically approved by the Treasury.
2. The Companies Act requires certain information to be disclosed in the Directors’
Report.To the extent that it is appropriate, the information relating to the ONS shall be
contained in the Foreword.
3. When preparing its Net Expenditure Account the ONS shall have regard to the
appended Pro Forma Account. Minor changes may be introduced subject to Treasury
agreement.
4. When preparing its Balance Sheet, the ONS shall have regard to the Balance Sheet
format 1 prescribed in Schedule 4 to the Companies Act.The Balance Sheet totals shall be
struck at ‘Total assets less current liabilities’.
5. The ONS is not required to provide the historical cost information described in
paragraph 33(3) of Schedule 4 of the Companies Act.
6. The Foreword and Balance Sheet shall be signed by the Accounting Officer and dated.
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
7. The ONS is not required to include a note showing historical cost profits and losses as
described in FRS3.
S C H E D U L E 2
1. The Foreword shall, inter alia:
› state that the Accounts have been prepared in accordance with a direction given by
the Treasury in accordance with Section 5(1) of the Exchequer and Audit
Departments Act 1921; and
› include a brief history of the ONS and its statutory background.
2. The Notes to the Accounts shall include details of the key corporate financial targets set
by the responsible Minister together with an indication of the performance achieved.
S C H E D U L E 1
APPLICATION OF THE
ACCOUNTING AND DISCLOSURE
REQUIREMENTS OF THE
COMPANIES ACT AND
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURE
REQUIREMENTS
ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
55 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
Under section 5(1) of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act 1921 the Treasury have
directed the Office for National Statistics to prepare a Statement of Accounts for each
financial year in the form and on the basis set out in the Accounts Direction on page 53.
The Accounts are prepared on an accruals basis and must give a true and fair view of the
Agency’s state of affairs at the year end and its income and expenditure and cash flows for
the financial year.
In preparing Accounts, the Agency is required to:
› observe the Accounts Direction issued by the Treasury, including the relevant accounting
and disclosure requirements and apply suitable accounting policies on a consistent basis;
› make judgments and estimates on a reasonable basis;
› state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, and disclose and
explain any material departures in the financial statements;
› prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis, unless it is inappropriate to
presume that the Agency will continue in operation.
The Accounting Officer of the Department of the Chancellor of the Exchequer has
designated the Director of the Office for National Statistics as the Accounting Officer for
the Agency. His relevant responsibilities as Accounting Officer, including responsibility for
the propriety and regularity of the public finances and for the keeping of proper records,
are set out in the Accounting Officers’ Memorandum issued by the Treasury and published
in Government Accounting.
S TAT E M E N T
STATEMENT OF THE AGENCY’S
AND DIRECTOR’S
RESPONSIBILITIES
56
1. As Accounting Officer, I acknowledge my responsibility for ensuring that an effective
system of internal financial control is maintained and operated by ONS.
2. The system can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance that assets are
safeguarded, transactions authorised and properly recorded, and that material errors or
irregularities are either prevented or would be detected within a timely period.
3. It is based on a framework of regular management information, administrative
procedures including the segregation of duties, and a system of delegation and
accountability. In particular, it includes:
a) comprehensive budgeting systems with an annual budget which is reviewed and
agreed by the Management Board;
b) regular reviews by the Board of periodic and annual financial reports which indicate
financial performance against the forecasts;
c) the setting of targets to measure financial and other performance;
d) clearly defined capital investment control guidelines; and
e) as appropriate, formal project management disciplines.
4. ONS has an internal audit unit, which operates to standards defined in the Government
Internal Audit Manual.The work of the internal audit unit is informed by an analysis of
the risk to which the body is exposed, and annual internal audit plans are based on this
analysis.The analysis of risk and the internal audit plans are endorsed by the Audit
Committee and approved by me. At least annually, the Head of Internal Audit (HIA)
provides me with a report on internal audit activity in ONS.The report includes the
HIA's independent opinion on the adequacy and effectiveness of ONS’s system of
internal financial control.
5. During 1998–99 a major audit of budgetary control was carried out.This resulted in:
a) the formation of a Finance Committee to oversee the operation of financial control
arrangements;
b) the finalisation of a financial framework within which managers are to operate;
c) the establishment of a Financial Management Information Systems Development
Project Board, reporting to the Finance Committee.This has reviewed the chart of
accounts, time recording system and overhead methodology with the aim of improving
the quality and transparency of financial management information.The changes arising
from these reviews will be implemented from 1 April 1999;
d) formal delegation letters, supporting the budgetary control system, being issued to
managers as appropriate;
e) the roll out of an improved version of our CHESS executive financial management
information system.This gives managers quicker, clearer and direct access to information
about their budgets, expenditure and income; and
f) an enhanced role for the Audit Committee.
6. Of the other 35 audits carried out only one, relating to Sales Invoicing and Receipts,
resulted in a non-assurance report. Measures will be taken during 1999–2000 to
overcome the procedural shortcomings identified.
7. A further audit report, produced just after the year end, found some weaknesses in the
procurement and management of consultancy projects in various parts of the Office.
Particular criticisms were made in respect of one contract, leading to further audit
investigations in the business area concerned. Proposals have been developed to remedy
the control shortcomings found in that area, and also to strengthen the guidance
available to the Office generally on engaging and managing consultants.
S TAT E M E N T
STATEMENT OF THE SYSTEM OF
INTERNAL FINANCIAL CONTROL
ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
57 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
8. My review of the effectiveness of the system of internal financial control is informed by
the work of the internal audit unit, the Audit Committee which oversees the work of
the unit, the executive managers within ONS who have responsibility for the
development and maintenance of the financial control framework, and comments made
by the external auditors in their management letter and other reports.
9. During 1998–99 a programme of action was undertaken to improve the quality and
timeliness of the annual agency account.This included the institution of formal
management reviews and an enhanced role for the Audit Committee.
Accounting Officer
58 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
I certify that I have audited the financial statements on pages 35 to 52 under the
Exchequer and Audit Departments Act 1921.These financial statements have been
prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of fixed
assets and the accounting policies set out on pages 40 and 41.
RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE AGENCY, DIRECTOR AND AUDITOR
As described on page 55, the Agency and Director are responsible for the preparation of
the financial statements and for ensuring the regularity of financial transactions.The Agency
and Director are also responsible for the preparation of the other contents of the Annual
Report. My responsibilities, as independent auditor, are established by statute and guided
by the Auditing Practices Board and the auditing profession’s ethical guidance.
I report my opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true and fair view and
are properly prepared in accordance with the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act
1921 and Treasury directions made thereunder, and whether in all material respects the
expenditure and income have been applied to the purposes intended by Parliament and
the financial transactions conform to the authorities which govern them. I also report if, in
my opinion, the Foreword is not consistent with the financial statements, if the Agency has
not kept proper accounting records, or if I have not received all the information and
explanations I require for my audit.
I read the other information contained in the Annual Report, and consider whether it is
consistent with the audited financial statements. I consider the implications for my
certificate if I become aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies
with the financial statements.
I review whether the statement on pages 56 and 57 reflects the Agency’s compliance
with Treasury’s guidance ‘Corporate governance: statement on the system of internal
financial control’. I report if it does not meet the requirements specified by the Treasury, or
if the statement is misleading or inconsistent with other information I am aware of from
my audit of the financial statements.
BASIS OF OPINION
I conducted my audit in accordance with Auditing Standards issued by the Auditing
Practices Board. An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the
amounts, disclosures and regularity of financial transactions included in the financial
statements. It also includes an assessment of the significant estimates and judgments made
by the Agency and Director in the preparation of the financial statements, and of whether
the accounting policies are appropriate to the Agency’s circumstances, consistently applied
and adequately disclosed.
I planned and performed my audit so as to obtain all the information and explanations
which I considered necessary in order to provide me with sufficient evidence to give
reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement,
whether caused by error, or by fraud or other irregularity and that, in all material respects,
the expenditure and income have been applied to the purposes intended by Parliament
and the financial transactions conform to the authorities which govern them. In forming
my opinion I have also evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of information
in the financial statements.
OPINION
In my opinion:
› the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Office for
National Statistics at 31 March 1999 and of its net cost of output, total recognised gains
C E RT I F I CAT E A N D R E P O RT O F T H E C O M P T RO L L E RAND AUDITOR GENERAL TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
59 ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
and losses, and its cash flows for the year then ended and have been properly prepared in
accordance with the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act 1921 and the directions
made thereunder by the Treasury: and
› in all material respects the expenditure and income have been applied to the purposes
intended by Parliament and the financial transactions conform to the authorities which
govern them.
I have no observations to make on these financial statements.
John Bourn
Comptroller and Auditor General
National Audit Office
157–197 Buckingham Palace Road
Victoria
London SW1W 9SP
23 July 1999
60
Printed in the UK for The Stationery Office Limitedon behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery OfficeDd5068955 8/99 076368 Job No. J0089353
.
ONS A n n u a l R e p o r t & A c c o u n t s 19 9 8 – 9 9
Published by The Stationery Office Limited and available from:
The Publications Centre(Mail, telephone and fax orders only)PO Box 276, London SW8 5DTGeneral enquiries 0870 600 55 22Order through the Parliamentary Hotline Lo-Call 0345 02 34 74Fax orders 0171 873 8200
The Stationery Office Bookshops123 Kingsway, London WC2B 6PQ0171 242 6393 Fax 0171 242 639468-69 Bull Street, Birmingham B4 6AD0121 236 9696 Fax 0121 236 969933 Wine Street, Bristol BS1 2BQ0117 9264306 Fax 0117 92945159-21 Princess Street, Manchester M60 8AS0161 834 7201 Fax 0161 833 063416 Arthur Street, Belfast BT1 4GD01232 238451 Fax 01232 235401The Stationery Office Oriel Bookshop18-19 High Street, Cardiff CF1 2BZ01222 395548 Fax 01222 38434771 Lothian Road, Edinburgh EH3 9AZ0870 606 55 66 Fax 0870 606 55 88
The Parliamentary Bookshop12 Bridge Street, Parliament SquareLondon SW1A 2JXTelephone orders 0171 219 3890General enquiries 0171 219 3890Fax orders 0171 219 3866
Accredited Agents(see Yellow Pages)
and through good booksellers