Policy background Digital Government Research and Statistics
Official statistics produced by the executive arm of the United Kingdom Statistics Authority ("UKSA"), the Office for National Statistics ("ONS"), are intended to support the development of economic and public policy and inform decision-makers. The Act provides the Statistics Board access to administrative data from across government and businesses. The government’s view is that this will provide more accurate, frequent and timely statistics, instead of relying on surveys.
	The Act also provides for the use of de-identified (de-personalised) data to support accredited researchers to access and link data in secure facilities for the purpose of carrying out research for public benefit.