National Statistics Harmonisation Group Meeting Agenda

Tuesday 11th July 2017 at 1100 to 1330 hrs

Meeting Room 3, at ONS, 1 Drummond Gate, London, SW1V 2QQ

Followed by the NSHG Topic Lead Facilitation Meeting at 1400 to 1530 hrs

Timing Agenda Item Paper No Presenter 1 1100 –

1110 hrs Welcome and Introductions Chair

2 1110 – 1120 hrs

Review of Previous Minutes and Actions

NSHG (17:1) 04 Chair

3 1120 – 1150 hrs

a) NSH SG Meeting and GSS SPSC Meeting Update

Verbal Update Chair

b) Review of NSHG Workplan

NSHG (17:2) 05 Mark Herniman

c) Communications Plan NSHG (17:2) 06 Becki Aquilina d) Update on Business Harmonisation

Verbal Update Ian Sidney

e) Update on Good Practice Team Work & Harmonisation

NSHG (17:2) 07 Martin Ralphs

4 1150 – 1200 hrs

DCTP Update - Online survey question harmonisation

Verbal Update Andrew Phelps or Emma Dickenson

5 1200 – 1210 hrs

Business Survey Question Bank Presentation Jay Sheppard

6 1210 – 1220 hrs

Census Topic Update (inc post 2017 Test)

NSHG (17:2) 08 Helena Rosiecka

7 1220 – 1235 hrs

GSS Data Discovery Programme Update

Verbal Update Darren Barnes

8 1235 – 1315 hrs

NSHG Topic Group Updates

NSHG (17:2) 09 Topic Group Leads

Benefits and Tax Credits No Report Received Thomas Sims Consumer Durables Report Received Joy Preece Crime & Anti Social Behaviour Report Received Fiona Aitchison Demographic Information Report Received Emily Knipe Economic Activity No Report Received Roger Smith Education Report not expected Julian Austin / Tony Clarke EILR Report Received Becki Aquilina (temp) Gender Identity No Report Received Michelle Monkman Health, Disability and Carers Report Received Steven Webster Housing and Tenure No Report Received Scott Edgar Income Report Received Matthew Minifie Migration, Country of Birth & Citizenship

Report Received Penni McClure

Pensions Nothing to Report Bonang Lewis Personal Well-being Report not expected Matthew Steel Social Capital Report Received Katrina Morrison

9 1315 – 1325 hrs

AOB Chair

10 1325 – 1330 hrs

Next Meetings Wednesday 8th November 2017, between 1100 - 1330 hrs, ONS, Drummond Gate Office, London Wednesday 7th March 2018, between 1100 - 1330 hrs, ONS, Drummond Gate Office, London

Chair

NSHG (17:1) 04

Minutes of the National Statistics Harmonisation Group (NSHG) Meeting 8th March 2017

1100 to 1330 hrs ONS, 1 Drummond Gate, London, SW1V 2QQ

Attendees: Apologies: Steve Ellerd-Elliott (Chair) MoJ Alison Pritchard (video – Newport) ONS Andrew McCormick NISRA Andrew Phelps (video – Newport) ONS Becky Tinsley ONS Ann Blake (audio – Titchfield) ONS Bonang Lewis ONS Becki Aquilina (video - Titchfield ONS Catherine Davies ONS Ben Coleman NAO Dawn Camus BEIS Charlie Wroth-Smith ONS Fiona Aitchison ONS Charlotte Guinee (video – Newport) ONS Hugh Kerr NISRA Darren Barnes (audio – Newport) ONS Ian O’Sullivan ONS Darren Stillwell DfT Ian Sidney ONS Emily Knipe (video – Titchfield) ONS Jacob Wilcock DFID Emma Dickinson (video – Newport) ONS Jonathan Swan ONS Jill Morton (audio – Scotland) NRS Martin Ralphs ONS Joy Preece (video – Newport) ONS Matthew Steel ONS Karen Hurrell (video – Manchester) EHRC Michelle Monkman ONS Katrina Morrison (video – Newport) ONS Nazma Nessa DfE Lisa Walters (audio - Cardiff) Welsh Gov Nick Barford ONS Marina Wright (video – Newport) ONS Rebecca Hulme Ofsted Paul Benson HSE Roger Smith ONS Penni McClure ONS Sean White ONS Pete Betts ONS Steve Cooley ONS Rafael Mastrangelo (audio – HMRC) HMRC Thomas Sims DWP Roger Smith (video – Newport) ONS Tim Vizard ONS Samaa Elsandabessee (video – Titchfield)

ONS

Scott Edgar DCLG Steve Cooley (video – Titchfield) ONS Steve Webster NHS Digital Mark Herniman (Secretariat) ONS 1.0 Welcome and Introduction – Steve Ellerd-Elliott

The Chair introduced himself as the new NSHG Chair and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2.0 Minutes and Actions from the previous meeting, NSHG (16:3) 16 – Steve Ellerd-Elliott

There were no comments from the previous minutes and these were accepted as a true reflection of the last meeting. All bar three of the actions were complete and it was agreed these should be progressed outside of the meeting.

ACTION 1 – NSHG Secretariat to progress actions 5, 6, 14 from the 9 Nov 16 NSHG meeting 1

NSHG (17:1) 04 3.0 Update on Harmonisation Work

a. GSS SPSC Meeting Report, Verbal Update – Steve Ellerd-Elliott The main points were:

• the most recent GSS SPSC meeting was held 12th January 2017 • there were no substantive items on harmonisation • previous action for NSH SG Chair to feedback views on the approval of the ‘Age

Banding’ proposal • SPSC have given the NSH SG permission to approve harmonised principles,

reporting back to the SPSC • the revised ‘Harmonisation Process Model’ and the new ‘Harmonisation Handbook’

were both well received by the NSHG SG • the 2017 Communication Plan is now a joint NSH SG and NSHG plan and is

attached as an annex to the NSHG Workplan

b. Review of the NSHG Workplan, NSHG (17:1) 01 – Mark Herniman The following additional points were discussed:

• the chair encouraged members to have a look at the Communication Plan and to think about areas of the plan where they might be able to contribute

• the secretariat was asked to circulate an email regarding ideas or thoughts for inclusion in the Communication Plan

ACTION 2 – Secretariat to circulate an email to encourage members to think about ideas for inclusion in the Communication Plan.

c. Business Harmonisation, Verbal Update – Ian Sidney

Ian was unable to attend the meeting but members were briefed on progress with business harmonisation via the update in the NSHG Workplan. There were no comments or questions.

d. Update on Good Practice Team & Harmonisation, NSHG (17:1) 02 – Martin Ralphs Martin was unable to attend the meeting but the update was presented. The following

additional points were discussed: • members were encouraged to look at the Policy Store, aiming to bring together a

range of guidance, policies and standards from across the GSS into one place (www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/policy-store/)

• the aim of the co-location of the Harmonisation Team with the Good Practice Team and the Quality Centre was to have more of an outward GSS focus rather than be ONS centric

4.0 Verbal Update – UK Census Topic Work – Ann Blake

The following points were discussed: • a meeting took place in February to review the status of the various topics and there are

several key topics receiving the most attention, harmonisation wise • Sexual identity/gender identity

- joint acceptability testing is currently being carried out in the UK, due to close this week in England, Wales and Scotland and a week later in Northern Ireland (due to purdah)

- a paper was presented to the UK Census Committee (chaired by John Pullinger) last week, representing a joint UK approach on the decisions to be made on UK topics for the census

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- there are differing country specific concepts that need to be considered - the decision-making framework that was presented at the meeting was accepted by

the UK Census Committee - all countries are working with the same harmonised approach in making decisions

• Veterans/Armed Forces Community - working closely with the MOD over several months to discuss three strands of work

o getting access to MOD data to understand more about the veteran’s community and understand the gaps that exist in the admin data

o work is ongoing to look at estimates over three and five years on the Annual Population Survey which asks questions on veterans

o considering how to ask questions on the Census if the admin data does not meet the need

- Armed Forces questions were added to the English Housing Survey (EHS) in 2014 and these can be shared with the Census

ACTION 3 – Scot Edgar to share copies of the EHS Armed Forces questions with Ann Blake (ann.blake@ons.gov.uk) as soon as possible

• Ethnic Group - currently looking at three variations of the questions

o an online version of the 2011 question, split into two parts (being used in the 2017 Test)

o a two-part question asking respondents to categorise their Ethnic Group at the high level and second part of the question offers a predictive text write-in box

o a third version of the question which includes an additional tick box - members were interested in the predictive text write-in box option (and any analysis

of the text) for the Ethnic Group question and in general and asked if this could be shared.

ACTION 4 – Ann Blake to ask Michelle Walters to share information on the predicative text write-in box option and any text analysis for the Ethnic Group question

• Scotland are working closely with ONS and are harmonised on all topics except where cases of question specific context exist

5.0 Presentation – DCTP Update – Andrew Phelps & Emma Dickinson

The presentation was shown and the following additional points were discussed: • the basic aim of the programme is to transform ONS surveys and move towards mixed

mode collection including online and utilise other survey data as much as possible • there is a need to transform the questions (not just translate them) for online use, making

them easy to use for respondents • regarding the ethnicity question it was thought that the inclusions were confusing and a

suggestion of having just ‘includes any white background’ may be better as this appears to be what is being asked

• another consideration would be for the different types of device the questions are to be viewed on and the issues caused by screen size

• both the technological and question wording aspects need to be considered • work around the questions on the LFS is probably further ahead than the Census • collaboration between the LFS and Census teams is planned and part of this will be to

understand why questions differ 3

NSHG (17:1) 04

• LFS will be writing up their findings from the testing and will share with this group ACTION 5 – Emma Dickinson to share the findings from the testing of the online questions with the NSHG

• LFS have not tried asking the Ethnic Group questions with just the basic categories (leaving out the inclusions)

• in previous testing respondents appeared to have been using the sub-categories and there appears to be little understanding of what ‘Ethnic Group’ is among the general population

• It was suggested that previous testing has shown that respondents like to see examples before they choose an option for ethnic group

6.0 Verbal update, GSS Data Discovery and Harmonisation – Darren Barnes

The following points were discussed: • tasked by John Pullinger and the GSS Presentation Dissemination Committee (PDC) to

look at how statistics are presented across the wider spectrum of government and if Gov.UK and similar platforms are the best to do this

• work is on-going to identify the different platforms, processes, tools and publishing mechanisms across all government departments and collate a comprehensive picture of what is available

• a variety of departments (inc the devolved administrations) are being looked at to see what range of skills and capabilities around data dissemination are used

• looking to build a common platform which will hold an online registry of data for users to explore making it more searchable - therefore a lot of harmonisation and standardisation will be required

• a report will be submitted to John Pullinger to suggest how this work can be taken forward • knowledge and experience of this group will be needed to help with this project • departments have had an opportunity to feed into this work and having a single platform

that better supports statistics across the UK is needed but there was nothing specific this group could do now

• once written, the report on this work will be shared with the NSHG as key stakeholders ACTION 6 – Darren Barnes to share the report on the GSS Data Discovery Project with the NSHG ACTION 7 – Darren Barnes to be invited to the next NSHG meeting to present further developments on the GSS Data Discovery Project 7.0 Presentation, National Audit Office’s (NAO) Data Service – Ben Coleman

Ben introduced the presentation stating the development of the NAO Data Service was an in-house solution to problems around not having a single portal for data and the absence in the standards for the way government departments release data. The following additional points were discussed:

• looking forward the NAO hope to develop the Data Service further, add data, get more functionality and look to make it available outside the NAO (with the House of Commons Library and the Departmental Directors of Analysis (DDANs) group showing interest)

• data is cleansed by a set of registers and scripts have been developed and applied to the data and this is tightly controlled within a team

• data is quality assured before release to teams who apply a strict clearance process • mainly Gov.UK data is processed but also some data from HSCIC has been included

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• some labour market data, economic activity type data, qualifications data, industries, occupations and employment data are also included - a comprehensive list of included data is on the last slide of the presentation

• all the linking is geographic level based and the data is from sources that are already available as either statistical or open data releases and these are being pulled together

• some of the NAO Data Service does what Data.Gov.UK hoped to do in terms of data linkage and a tool like this would be good to have

• in terms of harmonisation, we need to recognise sometimes things will be asked for or collected in a slightly different way and this may be a challenge with ‘snapping’ data to other data – age bands are a good example of this only coming together at the higher level

• Ben was happy to attend individual government departments to present the NAO Data Service

8.0 Presentation, Consumer Durables – Joy Preece

The presentation was shown and the following additional points were discussed: • in addition to the Living Costs and Food (LCF) survey and the Survey on Living Conditions

(SLC), the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) and the Understanding Society Survey (run by the University of Essex) were the only other organisations identified as using data from the questions and these groups have been invited to join the topic group

• members were asked if the harmonised principle was required and if so what questions should be included and what information should the responses to the questions provide

• the Sustainable Development Goals data produced by the Well-being Inequalities Sustainability and Environment (WISE) branch in ONS may use related questions

• Public Health England run the annual National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) may also use related questions

• reviewing the questions on Internet Access questions it was clear they do not belong under Consumer Durables but the Department of Culture Media and Sports (DCMS) may be interested in taking the lead on this topic

• a question is asked on the LCF and it was suggested that DWP may have an interest (claimants using the internet)

• the Welsh Government use some of the questions and would also be interested in any question development on Internet access

• there is an Integrated Project Team (IPT) within ONS that covers both business and household interests and they may be interested in leading on this

ACTION 8 – Harmonisation Team to contact DCMS, DWP, Welsh Government, LCF team at ONS and the ONS IPT to see if there is interest in forming a group for Internet Access

• it will be worth keeping an eye on the internet access questions in case they grow into a larger set on general digital use

9.0 NSHG Topic Lead Updates, NSHG (16:3) 14 – Topic Group Leads The Chair the topic leads for their reports. Benefits and Tax Credits – Thomas Sims Thomas was unable to attend the meeting but had submitted a report. There were no comments or

questions. Consumer Durables – Joy Preece Joy had presented a report and there were no further comments or questions. 5

NSHG (17:1) 04 Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour – Fiona Aitchison

Fiona had presented a report and there were no comments or questions.

Demographic Information – Emily Knipe Emily presented a report and the following additional points were discussed:

• the Steering Group have approved the new Age Banding Principle 6 covering the older age groups but there were concerns over the new Age Banding Principle 5

• NSHG members have been asked to comment on how the existing Age Banding Principle 4 was used and findings will be discussed with the Harmonisation Team

• regarding Same Sex Marriage or Marital Status question, can NSHG members provide information if they are aware of a need for separate questions or responses or if data is required separately, back to Emily (emily.knipe@ons.gov.uk)

ACTION 9 – If NSHG members are aware of users requiring separate questions or responses or if separate data is required on Same Sex Marriage or Marital Status questions, can they please get in touch with Emily (emily.knipe@ons.gov.uk) Economic Activity – Roger Smith Roger had presented a report and added the following:

• a representative from the topic group sits on the Business Harmonisation Task and Finish Group (BHTFG)

Education – Nazma Neesa and Nafeessah Ameerudden Nazma was unable to attend the meeting but had presented a report. There were no comments or

questions. EILR – Becki Aquilina (temp) Becki had presented a report and there were no comments or questions. Gender Identity – Michelle Monkman

Michelle was unable to attend the meeting but was represented by Samaa Elsandabesee who added the following additional points to the report:

• fieldwork is almost complete and qualitative research is under way with DCM and further qualitative testing is being considered

Health, Disability and Carers – Steve Webster

Steve had presented a report and the following additional points were discussed: • an additional 2 (possibly 4) members for the group have been identified

Housing and Tenure – Scott Edgar Scott presented a report and the following additional points were discussed:

• the group now has more members • the Harmonisation Team has helped in researching where the questions are being used

Income – Matthew Minifie

Matthew had presented a report and there were no comments or questions. Migration, Country of Birth and Citizenship – Penni McClure Penni had presented a report and there were no comments or questions.

Pensions – Bonnie Lewis

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NSHG (17:1) 04 There was nothing to report for this period. Personal Well-being – Matthew Steel There was nothing to report for this period. Social Capital – Katrina Morrison

Katrina had presented a report and there were no comments or questions. 10.0 Any Other Business

There were no items of AOB but members were asked to contact the Harmonisation Team if they thought of any after the meeting.

11.0 Next Meetings Dates of the next meetings are:

• Tuesday 11th July 2017, 1100 to 1330 hrs at ONS Drummond Gate, Meeting Room 3, followed by the NSHG Topic Leads Facilitation Meeting (1400 to 1630 Hrs)

• Wednesday 8th November 2017, 1100 to 1330 hrs at ONS Drummond Gate, Meeting Room 3.

Annexes:

A. List of Actions B. Presentation Slides – DCTP Update C. Presentation Slides – National Audit Office’s Data Linkage System D. Presentation Slides – Consumer Durables

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ANNEX A

ACTIONS FROM THE NSHG MEETING – 8th March 2017

No Para Action Responsible Status 1 2.0 NSHG Secretariat to progress actions 5, 6, 14 from

the 9 Nov 16 NSHG meeting Secretariat Complete

2 3.0 b Secretariat to circulate an email to encourage members to think about ideas for inclusion in the Communication Plan.

Secretariat Complete

3 4.0 Scot Edgar to share copies of the EHS Armed Forces questions with Ann Blake (ann.blake@ons.gov.uk) as soon as possible

Scot Edgar Complete

4 4.0 Ann Blake to ask Michelle Walters to share information on the predicative text write-in box option and any text analysis for the Ethnic Group question

Ann Blake Complete

5 5.0 Emma Dickinson to share the findings from the testing of the online questions with the NSHG

Emma Dickinson

Complete

6 6.0 Darren Barnes to share the report on the GSS Data Discovery Project with the NSHG

Darren Barnes

Ongoing – report not yet ready to share

7 6.0 Darren Barnes to be invited to the next NSHG meeting to present further developments on the GSS Data Discovery Project

Darren Barnes

Complete

8 8.0 Harmonisation Team to contact DCMS, DWP, Welsh Government, LCF team at ONS and the ONS IPT to see if there is interest in forming a group for Internet Access

Harmonisation Team

Ongoing

9 9.0 If NSHG members are aware of users requiring separate questions or responses or if separate data is required on Same Sex Marriage or Marital Status questions, can they please get in touch with Emily (emily.knipe@ons.gov.uk)

NSHG Members

Complete

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National Statistics Harmonisation Group

NSHG Work Plan – July 2017

Executive Summary 1. The GSS Harmonisation Programme involves the harmonisation of survey questions, concepts,

definitions and outputs in order to make survey results more comparable. This paper is regularly presented to the National Statistics Harmonisation Group (NSHG) and summarises the harmonisation initiatives currently in progress.

Current Work Programme

2. Harmonisation Web pages – There are currently four harmonisation related areas sitting on the GSS

website; the Harmonisation pages, the NSH SG pages, the NSHG pages and the BHTFG pages. These are maintained by the Harmonisation Team to ensure they are kept up to date. Papers and Minutes of the NSH SG, the NSHG and the BHTFG meetings and the TORs can be found on the respective pages. We still have a page on the ONS web site but this just contains a brief introduction to the GSS programme of Harmonisation with a link to the GSS web site.

3. Sub Topic Groups – There are now fifteen topic groups reporting to the NSHG. In most cases, the work of these Topic Groups has been ongoing and the reports from these groups are presented at this meeting. The current topic groups are:

Benefits and Tax Credits Consumer Durables Crime and Anti Social Behaviour Demographic Information Economic Activity and Employment Status Educational Attainment Ethnicity, Identity, Language & Religion (EILR) Gender Identity Health, Disability and Carers Housing and Tenure Income Migration and Country of Birth Pensions Personal Well-being Social Capital

There has been a change in lead for the following topic groups:

• Education – Julian Austin & Tony Clarke (Dept of Education) replacing Nazma Neesa • EILR – Becki Aquilina (Harmonisation Team) temporarily filling vacant lead post

A Topic Group Facilitation meeting has been planned for the 11th July, after NSHG meeting. A good number of the topic leads have accepted the invite and it is hoped the meeting will give leads the opportunity to discuss their experiences in taking their respective Harmonised Principles through the review process.

4. Harmonisation Process – There have been some minor changes to the approval of new and revised GSS Harmonised Principles. The GSS Statistical Policy & Standards Committee (SPSC) has delegated the responsibility of formally approving Harmonised Principles to the National Statistics Harmonisation Steering Group. The SPSC, along with the Statistical Heads of Profession now only want to be informed when approval has been granted.

5. Harmonised Principles – The review of the Current Harmonised Principles is continuing:

• It has been decided to remove the distinction between ‘Primary’ and ‘Secondary’ Harmonised Principles as this was causing confusion as users did not know which of the two lists to look at. This has involved changing the individual Harmonised Principles, content on the GSS web site, the Harmonisation Handbook, the A-Z Guide and other various documents where these were

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mentioned. By the time of next meeting on 11 July, it is hoped all documents will be uploaded to the GSS website.

• Demographic Information – the proposed revised Age Bandings have now been formally approved by the NSH SG and have been incorporated into the Harmonised Principle for Demographic Information. It has now been published on the GSS website and incorporated into the A-Z of GSS Harmonised Principles. The Harmonisation Process Dissemination Plan will now be followed to ensure wide coverage.

• Personal Well-being – this was agreed by the NSHG on 2 June, formally approved by the NSH

SG on 28 June and replaces the Interim Harmonised Principle. It has now been published on the GSS website and incorporated into the A-Z of GSS Harmonised Principles. The Harmonisation Process Dissemination Plan will now be followed to ensure wide coverage.

• Crime and ASB – it has now been decided to present an interim Harmonised Principle to the

NSHG. This will include the Crime questions for England and Wales. An explanation will also be included stating the questions for Scotland (which are different) will be included at a later date, once further discussion has taken place. It is hoped to present these to the NSHG for agreement via correspondence, soon.

• Migration, Country of Birth & Citizenship – this topic is progressing well and is almost ready to

submit a set of proposed harmonised concepts to the NSHG for agreement.

6. NSH Steering Group – The NSH SG held their last meeting on 28 June. At this meeting, the following Harmonised Principles were fully approved:

• Personal Well-being • Total Turnover • Number of Employees • Employment Hours worked

The meeting also discussed the following agenda items:

• Update on the last BHTFG meeting (21 April) • Update from the NSHG • Review of the 2017 NSH SG Communication Plan • Review of the NSH SG Dashboard • Horizon Scanning

The meeting minutes are on the GSS website: https://gss.civilservice.gov.uk/about/governance-and-structure/national-statistics-harmonisation-steering-group/ The next NSH SG meeting will take place in September 2017 (date TBC).

7. Raising the profile of Harmonisation and strengthening links – The Harmonisation Team has regular meetings with the UK Statistics Authority, GSS Good Practice Team, the ONS Quality Centre, ONS Data Collection Methodology, the UK Data Service, Census Transformation Programme and the ONS Admin Data Division. Members of the Harmonisation Team sit on each of the Census Topic Groups. Their role is to promote and encourage harmonisation across the devolved countries and the wider GSS.. The Harmonisation Team is chairing a new group titled the ONS Ethnic Group Forum (EFG). The aim of the ONS EGF is to look into harmonising Ethnicity data across ONS survey producers, particularly as most are moving to online surveys. Representatives from the 2021 Census also sit on the group.

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NSHG (17:2) 05 8. Harmonisation Presentations/Roadshows – Since the last meeting, the Harmonisation Team

presented at the following events: • Cross Government Sharing Group (Chaired by DfT) on 18th May 2017 • Present to the Presentation and Dissemination Committee (PDC) on 27th June 2017

The Harmonisation Team has had abstracts accepted and will be presenting at the following events:

• GSS Methodology Symposium taking place in London on 12th July 2017 • RSS Annual Conference, taking place in Glasgow, during the 4th to 7th September 2017

The Harmonisation Team would also welcome ideas on any upcoming conferences, programmes, projects etc where they can promote and encourage harmonisation. Please contact the Harmonisation Team with any ideas you have.

9. Harmonising Business Statistics - The Business Harmonisation Task & Finish Group (BHTFG) held its 3rd meeting in April 2017 and a harmonised definition for Total Turnover for Short Term Business Statistics (SBS) was agreed. Further harmonised definitions for a range of employment variables were also discussed and subsequently agreed by correspondence. This resulted in three harmonised business documents, containing 12 variables, being approved by the NSH SG on 28th June 2017:

1. Total Turnover for Short Term Business Statistics 2. Employment variables – Number of employees

a. Number of employees i. Male employees working more than 30hrs per week ii. Males employees working 30hrs or less per week iii. Female employees working more than 30hrs per week iv. Female employees working 30hrs or less per week

b. Number of self employed c. Number of employees and self employed (Number of persons employed)

3. Employment variables – Hours worked and Full Time Equivalents (FTE) a. Total hours worked by employees b. Total hours worked by self-employed persons c. Total hours worked by employees and self-employed persons d. Number of employees and self-employed persons full-time equivalent

The Business Harmonisation work plan has now been revised resulting in the disaggregation of total turnover becoming more prominent to align with the ONS Data Collection Transformation Programme (DCTP). Within the disaggregation of total turnover, the group will be reviewing export, internet sales, retail commodity breakdown and various other items. The BHTFG are also planning on reviewing definitions and guidance regarding capital acquisitions and changes in stocks both of which are highlighted as part of the online business surveys transformation rollout. During the transform period, questions will be tested, including cognitive testing, and questions will be harmonised where possible.

A further ongoing project within ONS is the creation of a Question Bank to hold all business survey questions, metadata and guidance.

10. Harmonising Administrative Data - The Harmonisation Team continue working with the ‘Data as a Service’ Division in ONS, to investigate the harmonisation of admin data, for example looking at the definitions of admin data which ONS currently holds.

11. Harmonisation and Social Media - The Harmonisation Team are still active members of StatsUserNet and the GSS blog, but are looking for suitable articles to publish. If members have

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harmonisation related work to promote or publicise please contact the Harmonisation Team. The most recent posts have been to promote the work of business harmonisation.

Mark Herniman Classifications and Harmonisation Unit Room 2400 ONS Titchfield Tel: 01329 444018 Email: mark.herniman@ons.gsi.gov.uk

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National Statistics Harmonisation Steering Group (NSH SG)

Communication Plan 2017 1

NSHG (17:2) 06

SITUATION ANALYSIS The National Statistics Harmonisation Group (NSHG) is responsible for, with the help of topic experts, the development and maintenance of common statistical frames, definitions and classification for statistics. The NSHG feeds into the National Statistics Harmonisation Steering Group (NSH SG), which in turn reports to the GSS Statistical Policy and Standards Committee (GSS SPSC), which is responsible for the agreement and promotion of statistical policies and standards covering all official statistics managed by the GSS. The uptake of harmonised principles across the GSS is not as high as it should be.

KEY MESSAGES • Make input data and outputs more consistent and compatible with other data that cover the same

concepts and questions • Focus on common goals and outcomes with a view to carrying out analysis of data from different sources • Make cross country comparisons • Reduce respondent and user burden • Make informed decisions in relation to data sources and statistics, within and across themes, in

accordance with the ESS quality dimensions and aims of Coherence and Comparability • Carry out cross survey/data analysis and integration, making statistics comparable across time and across

different sources, thereby creating an environment in which multiple data sources can be integrated (including integration with administrative data)

• Avoid misinterpretation of data when users believe data are similar, but there are fundamental, but not apparent, differences

• Harmonisation is recommended within the Statistics and Registration Services Act, the Code of Practice for Official Statistics and the National Statistician’s Guidance

THE OBJECTS OF CARRYING OUT COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES IN 2015/16 The key objectives for carrying out communication activities in 2015/16 are to; 1. Make harmonisation part of the GSS voice 2. Increase contact to and from users These communication objectives are aligned to the new strategic objectives. Alongside this, traditionally harmonisation has been implemented in a bottom up approach, which has gained some success. A top down approach is recommended from here on to gain further compliance.

APPROACH • Ensure GSS are aware of harmonisation and what it means for them • Communicate harmonisation from a general GSS perspective as a GSS brand rather than a separate

strand • Promote harmonisation by default • Improve increased comparability across (data sources) outputs:

- within themes - across themes - across countries

• Encourage Senior managers to champion and raise the profile of harmonisation • Reach users that are not currently liaising with harmonisation for whatever reason • Increase communication to and with the harmonisation team • Help understanding of the differences between harmonisation and standardisation • Improve comparability across data sources • Focus more on the objectives and outcomes of harmonisation from the user perspective • Contact organisers of upcoming GSS Conferences to influence theme(s) • Increase communication via social media and blogging

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES Positive messages to convey: • Harmonisation can be a cost saving efficiency measure (SR15) • Harmonisation is an enabler to improving the quality of outputs and contributes to the open data

agenda, thus increasing user satisfaction. Outputs will all be more user focussed. • If harmonisation is considered at the outset it can prevent delays and queries, increase

understanding and avoid unnecessary confusion • Compliance with the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 and Code of Practice for Official

Statistics and the National Statistician’s Guidance Factors likely to produce resistance to change: • Loss of time series • Expense to change systems and carry out methodological development work • Perception there is a lot of work to do and that harmonisation is a hindrance rather than an

enabler

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NSHG (17:2) 06 Tactic Purpose Audience Timing Accountable Feedback Phase 1 (Q1 – Jan/Feb/Mar): Organise Harmonisation to be included within various ONS/GSS/ Divisional inductions for new staff (Objective 1 & 2)

To raise awareness of harmonisation

ONS January - March The Harmonisation Team Ongoing – liaising with GSS Capabilities Team (Charles Lound)

Steve Cooley and Charles – thinking about common themes

Conduct review of all current Harmonised Principles (Objective 1 & 2)

To ensure all principles are up to date for when Census begin to review questions for the 2017 test, 2019 rehearsal and 2021 Census

Various January - March The Harmonisation Team – Non census topic leads contacted and plan in place to review all Non census harmonised principles - Ongoing

Making good progress on; Age bands/Consumer durables/Wellbeing/ Migration and COB definitions/Education

Output Managers workshop (Joint communication with the Good Practice Team, Harmonisation, Quality and Geography) (Objective 1 & 2)

The Good Practice Team (GPT) communicates on a number of different areas and face similar challenges to harmonisation in terms of communicating GSS issues. The Harmonisation team meet with the GPT every six weeks and a joint communication would be advantageous

GSS and Devolved Administrations

January - March Martin Ralph to organise ONS Harmonisation Team/Good Practice Team/Quality Centre and Geography to contribute. (DCLG Statisticians Gathering and Cross Government Survey Sharing Group)

Planning meeting April 2017

Provide response(s) to UK Statistics Authority Monitoring & Assessments (M&A) Team (Objective 1)

To encourage and monitor harmonisation across the GSS

GSS January - March The Harmonisation Team - when and as required by M & A Team

Non this reporting period

Hold second GSS Business Harmonisation Task and Finish Group (BHTFG) (Objective 1 & 2)

To coordinated producing Business Harmonised Principles

GSS and Devolved Administrations

3rd February The Harmonisation Team

Complete

Arrange meeting with CLOSER Cohort (Objective 1 & 2)

To discuss harmonisation comparability Academia January - March Harmonisation Team and UK Data Service – ongoing (emailed Claire Crawford and Chris Belfield, responsible for data Harmonisation research/work)

Contacted – nil response

Present BHTFG development and workplan to BEIS (Objective 1 & 2)

To raise awareness of Harmonisation BEIS January - March BHTFG members (Charlie and Ian) On-going Charlie liaising with BEIS to plan presentation

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Phase 2 (Q2 – Apr/May/June): Hold third GSS Business Harmonisation Task and Finish Group (BHTFG) (Objective 1 & 2)

To coordinated producing Business Harmonised Principles

GSS and Devolved Administrations

7th April The Harmonisation Team Complete

Presentations to Senior GSS manager meetings/workshops/seminars (Objective 1 & 2)

To gain senior GSS manager commitment and buy in

GSS and Devolved Administration

April – June Steering Group members

Present to the Cross Government Sharing Group (Chaired by DfT) (Objective 1 & 2)

To raise awareness of Harmonisation GSS 18th May Steering Group/Harmonisation Team

Complete – Jil Pobjoy (Quality Centre) and Charlie Wroth-Smith (Harmonisation) presented to around 20 colleagues. Participants were engaged with the presentations and asked some questions.

Hold first ONS Ethnic Group Forum (Chaired by Harmonisation Team) (Objective 1 & 2)

To share information on ethnic group question development work, including online design, findings, user needs and information for research for ethnicity outputs. To also discuss and decide where it would be suitable to take an aligned approach.

ONS 19th June The Harmonisation Team Complete - good engagement and way forward discussed - next meeting planned 15th September whereby each area will present their findings to latest round of testing and research

GSS Ethnicity Assurance Panel (Objective 1 & 2)

To discuss the impact of changing the census Ethnicity Question across the GSS

GSS 21st June Census and the Harmonisation Team Complete

Present to the Presentation and Dissemination Committee (PDC) (Objective 1 & 2)

To raise awareness of Harmonisation GSS 27th June The Harmonisation Team Becki presented the Harmonisation Dissemination Plan to the PDC for comment

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Phase 3 (Q3 – July/Aug/Sept): Hold Topic Lead Coordination Workshop (Objective 1)

To share good practice among Topic Leads, to identify issues and to ensure principles are up to date

GSS 11th July The Harmonisation Team After the NSHG

Present to DCLG Methodology seminar (held bi monthly) (Objective 1 & 2)

To raise awareness of Harmonisation GSS 11th July Steering Group/Harmonisation Team Invited to present at the 27th April meeting – suggest Output Managers Workshop (Harmonisation Team/GPT/Quality)

Chair – Chris Denman (DCLG) – Statistician Gathering Stephanie Freeth has agreed to present Deferred from 27th April due to lack or resource

Present to GSS Methodology Symposium Conference (GSSM22) (London) (Objective 1 & 2) (Theme – to be confirmed)

To raise awareness of harmonisation

Various 12th July The Harmonisation Team or Steering Group members

Abstract submitted and accepted – Ian and Becki to present ‘Harmonisation, Past, Present and Future’

Hold fourth GSS Business Harmonisation Task and Finish Group (BHTFG) (Objective 1 & 2)

To coordinated producing Business Harmonised Principles

GSS and Devolved Administrations

27th July The Harmonisation Team

Present t the International Conference of the Royal Statistical Society (Objective 1 & 2) Glasgow

To raise awareness of harmonisation

Various 4th -7th September

The Harmonisation Team or Steering Group Member

Abstract submitted

Hold Second ONS Ethnic Group Forum (Chaired by Harmonisation Team) (Objective 1 & 2)

To share information on ethnic group question development work, including online design, findings, user needs and information for research for ethnicity outputs. To also discuss and decide where it would be suitable to take an aligned approach.

ONS 15th September The Harmonisation Team

Present to the GSS Conference (Theme- to be confirmed)

To raise awareness of harmonisation Various Date to be confirmed

The Harmonisation Team or Steering Group Member

Alex Miller is the Chair of the GSS Conference

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(Objective 1 & 2) (September) organising committee Produce SurveyMonkey Questionnaire and conduct analysis (Objective 1 & 2)

To gauge levels of engagement across the GSS and Devolved Administrations with harmonisation, to raise awareness and target the gaps.

GSS and Devolved Administrations

July - August The Harmonisation Team Moved from previous quarter due to purdah

Phase 4 (Q4 – Oct/Nov/Dec): Develop online Harmonisation training for use across the GSS GSR (Objective 1 & 2)

To raise awareness of harmonisation

GSS/GSR (tbc) The Harmonisation Team

Steve Cooley waiting for a response from Charles Lound (chased 27/04/2017) – Charles not responsible but GSS capabilities may be able to help

Organise UK Data Service demo of enhanced metadata Bank (Objective 1)

To raise awareness of Harmonisation NSH Steering Group

(tbc) UK Data Service

Produce 2018 Communication Plan and Key Objectives (Objective 1 & 2)

To raise awareness of harmonisation

NSH SG and NSHG and Harmonisation Team

December The Harmonisation Team and the Steering Group (NSH SG)

Present business harmonisation to seminar at NISRA

To raise awareness of Business Harmonisation

GSS/NISRA Tbc Charlie Wroth-Smith (Harmonisation Team)

NISRA are hosting the October BHTFG so will promote business harmonisation at that time

Present Business Harmonisation to the Statistical Community in the Welsh Government

To raise awareness of Business Harmonisation

GSS/WG Tbc Ian Sidney (Harmonisation Team) Ian Sidney (Harmonisation Team) to contact Craiger Solomons

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National Statistics Harmonisation Group

GSS Good Practice Team Update - July 2017

Introduction This paper provides an update on Good Practice Team activity relevant to harmonisation since the last NSHG meeting. Issues for Discussion

a) The ‘Policy Store’ webpage ( https://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/policy-store/) on the UK Statistics Authority website now hosts the GSS estate of standards, guidance and policy. NSHG members can view the site using the link above. We plan to integrate this with the GSS website in due course (see c below).

b) The Garrett Review of ONS Methodology recommended that Harmonisation, Quality Centre and the Good Practice Team should be co-located. As of July 2017 GPT, Harmonisation (excluding Classifications) and Quality Centre’s GSS-wide functions will join the Methodology Advisory Service and some other central coordination functions in a new ONS division called “Best Practice and Impact”, sitting within the new “Methods, Data and Research” directorate led by Sarah Henry. A new DD post is being created to lead the directorate. This change represents an opportunity to carry out a wide-ranging review of the objectives, priorities and functions of GPT, Harmonisation and QC, and we will be exploring ways to streamline what we do, align our strategic objectives and work together more effectively as we transition to the new structure. Our intention is that this move will enhance the ability of Harmonisation to raise awareness of key messages and resources.

c) The Good Practice Team are working to improve the offer the GSS website provides to the GSS. Over the next few months we will be working to remove legacy features and pare the site back to a more streamlined facility that concentrates on guidance resources, news and events. A GSS Slack channel is now available at https://gov-stats-service.slack.com and we encourage group members to promote this with their local statistician communities. We plan to use Slack as the primary method of discussion and direct communication between members of the GSS community, with the website as more of a “repository” for resources. Slack has been used to great effect by the government data science community.

d) We continue to support the UK Statistics Authority in its review of the Code of Practice. A public consultation on the new code launches on July 5th, and GPT will be working with the Office of Statistics Regulation on the dissemination of the new code in the autumn. We will also be revisiting GSS guidance in the light of the new code.

Martin Ralphs ONS / Methods-Data-Research / Best Practice and Impact / Good Practice Team July 2017

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National Statistics Harmonisation Group

Update on Census Topic Work (inc 2017 Test) - July 2017

Introduction This paper outlines question development work since the 2021 Census topic consultation which was carried out in 2015. This paper has been produced to up-date on progress towards finalising the design of the 2021 Census questionnaire. Issues for Discussion 1. Findings from the 2021 Census topic consultation The majority of topics for inclusion on the 2021 Census were decided by evaluating responses to the topic consultation. However, a number of topics were identified as needing further consideration. These include:

• number of rooms • year last worked and supervisory status to derive NS-SEC • volunteering • sexual identity • gender identity

ONS has also received additional evidence from local authorities to support the need for data on veterans so this topic is also being reviewed.

ONS are also reviewing the question designs and response options for the following questions:

• marital status • central heating • ethnic group • language • economic activity

2. Research since the topic consultation - topics being considered for

inclusion/exclusion 2.1 Number of rooms

We are exploring whether Valuation Office Agency (VOA) data provides a good alternative to asking questions on number of rooms and bedrooms in a property. Early indications are positive and our direction of travel is to use this alternative method to produce estimates in 2021. We are holding a consultation to understand the impact this change could have on users of this data. The consultation will be published alongside the ‘Estimating Rooms’ paper on 28 June.

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2.2 Year last worked and supervisory status

Year last worked

ONS is exploring using administrative data to provide information on year last worked. Preliminary research suggests there is potential for these data to be derived from Pay-As-You-Earn information but further research is required.

Supervisory status

Supervisory status is used to distinguish between NS-SEC codes for 142 occupations. Removing the question would bias persons in these occupations towards the lower NS-SEC classifications. In 2011, this would have affected 2.6 million people and could have implications for resource allocation. It may be that an alternative way of differentiating between these occupations can be found when the NS-SEC derivation is revised. Until then, we are recommending to collect this information online and on paper.

2.3 Volunteering

Stakeholder engagement following the topic consultation has shown that user need for this information is not as strong as other topics being considered for inclusion. A question was developed for and included on the 2017 Test. ONS will be evaluating findings from the inclusion of this question.

2.4 Sexual identity

To make a decision on the inclusion or exclusion of a question on sexual identity, ONS has been carrying out a research and testing plan which includes the 2017 Census Test and a public acceptability survey of sexual identity and gender identity. Findings to date indicate that the sexual identity question does not negatively impact response rate and the data quality is comparable to results from the Annual Population Survey. Before a decision can be made on inclusion/exclusion of the question we need to consider:

• analysis of the 2017 Test data – to identify equality impacts • comparison with Annual Population Survey results • review of non-response • comparison on data quality • research administrative and alternative data sources

A decision will be made by the publication of the Census White Paper in April 2018

2.5 Gender identity

To make a recommendation on the inclusion or exclusion of questions on gender identity, ONS has been carrying out a research and testing plan which includes a review of the 2009 Trans Data Position Paper and a public acceptability survey based on a modified version of one of the EHRC recommended questions. The public acceptability survey shows that a voluntary question on gender identity is considered to be acceptable by the majority of respondents for individuals aged 16 and over. However, active engagement with the community and testing undertaken to date has shown the topic to be both sensitive and complex. ONS has not yet developed a method of meeting the user need for data in a Census context. ONS, NRS and NISRA are also carrying out a quantitative test with early results available at the start of September.

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2.6 Veterans

Further evidence of user need for information on veterans has been demonstrated, particularly by local authorities and charities. It is likely that alternative sources will not be able to meet this need. ONS is therefore considering including a question on veterans in the 2021 Census and is currently working on developing a question.

3 Research since the topic consultation – question designs being reviewed 3.1 Marital status

ONS has been exploring whether the marital status question should collect information on same-sex and opposite-sex marriage. A review of user need suggests that there is insufficient justification for splitting the ‘marriage’ response options. It is also possible to derive information on same and opposite sex marriage for those living together in households. No changes to the question are currently being planned.

3.2 Central heating

ONS are exploring whether an additional response option for renewable heating sources should be included in the question.

3.3 Ethnic group

ONS is undertaking a programme of work to:

• explore whether an alternative question design could better meet user needs • evaluate what additional response options (if any) could be included in a 2011 style

question, using a tool to prioritise requests for additional response options • develop 2-stage 2011 style question design for online completion

Qualitative and quantitative research has been carried out on an alternative question design and early findings suggest that this question is not working well, particularly because of increased non-response at the second stage of the question when compared to the 2011 design.

An ethnic group follow-up survey was carried out to gather information on strength of user need for requests for additional response options that could be added to the 2011 Census question. These requests are currently being evaluated.

A 2-stage question based on the 2011 Census question design was developed for online completion in the 2017 Test. We will consider how this question performed using data from the 2017 Test and the Census Test Evaluation Survey.

3.4 Language

ONS is reviewing response options for main language. Cognitive testing is planned to take place in Wales, to evaluate the main language question with separate response options for ‘English’ and ‘Welsh’. We will continue to engage with the Welsh Government and the Welsh Language Commissioner regarding this question. We are further exploring the user

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need and potential options for the collection of information on British Sign Language.

3.5 Economic activity

Owing to a change in International Labour Organisation (ILO) guidelines, ONS is looking to remove the ‘government sponsored training scheme’ response option.

Next Steps Research, testing and evaluation will continue so that decisions can be made on the inclusion/ exclusion of topics shown in section 2 ahead of the publication of the White Paper 2018. For topics shown in section 3, where the design of the question is being reviewed, development work will proceed and decisions will be made in time for the Census Order in 2019.

Helena Rosiecka Question and Questionnaire Design (QQD), Census, ONS 20/06/17

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National Statistics Harmonisation Group Combined Topic Group Report – July 2017

Benefits and Tax Credits Thomas Sims (DWP) No Report Received

Consumer Durables Topic Lead Joy Preece (ONS) Topic Group Members (inc Gov Dept from)

Joanna Bulman (ONS), Robynne Davies (ONS), Laura Keyse (ONS), Karon Gush (Understanding Society, University of Essex), Zoe Oldfield (Institute for Fiscal Studies)

Reporting Period March to June 2017 Surveys the Harmonised Questions are used on

Living Costs and Food Survey

Summary Status (An overview of the status of the topic work at this time) No update since last reporting period. The LCF questionnaire has been progressing annual year changes which have taken precedence over Consumer Durables activity. Progress made during this reporting period Update of group members – Claire Watson (ONS) has left the group due to a change in role and will be replaced by a new member to represent interest from the Survey on Living Conditions Work planned for the next reporting period The topic group still aim to produce a revised standard in the next 6 months. Other topics in the LCF questionnaire are also undergoing a review over this period to improve collection of expenditure figures, and any revised Consumer Durables questions would be considered for use in the new LCF questionnaire from April 2018. Key Issues and Risks (Summary of actual or potential issues along with risks, potential impacts and sensitivities linked to individual needs of UK nations) One topic group meeting due during the reporting period was postponed due to other ONS deadlines. This will be rescheduled as soon as possible in July so that activity can return to scheduled plan Other Information (Any other relevant details) N/A

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour Topic Lead Fiona Aitchison (ONS) Topic Group Members (inc Gov Dept from)

Reporting Period March to June 2017 Surveys the Harmonised Questions are used on

Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW)

Summary Status (An overview of the status of the topic work at this time) Following comments received at the October NSHG meeting, the crime stats team will conduct further work to discuss the proposed changes to the harmonised set of questions with stakeholders. Progress made during this reporting period Due to a particularly busy period this quarter, this work has not been progressed. Work planned for the next reporting period Discussion with external stakeholders – particularly NRS – over the proposed changes to the harmonised question set on crime and anti-social behaviour. This is in response to feedback received and discussions at the previous NSHG meeting.

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NSHG (17:2) 09 Key Issues and Risks (Summary of actual or potential issues along with risks, potential impacts and sensitivities linked to individual needs of UK nations) Other Information (Any other relevant details)

Demographic Information Topic Lead Emily Knipe (ONS) Topic Group Members (inc Gov Dept from)

Nicola Haines, Vital Statistics Output Branch, ONS Davie Hay, DoH Regina McGeown, NISRA Karen Hurrell, EHRC Laura Wilson, Social Survey Division, ONS Alan Jackson, Welsh Government Angus Hawkins, DCLG Esther Roughsedge NRS

Reporting Period March to June 2017 Surveys the Harmonised Questions are used on

Summary Status (An overview of the status of the work at this time) Progress made during this reporting period Age bands- The new age bands have been agreed. This means we now have a set of quinary age bands for demographic use and a recommended harmonised principle for older age groups. The age bands will be sent to SPSC for information on the 18th of July and then dissemination of the new principles can begin. Same-sex marriage (marital status) - I continue to work closely with Census, PSD and social survey colleagues on any new/adapted marital status question. Thank you to those who responded with user need for the collection of same sex marriages. Sexual Identity- We continue to work with Census teams to gain an understanding of the levels of non-response to the sexual identity question on social surveys which will help to inform whether sexual identity is asked on the Census and whether they use the harmonised sexual identity question. I have been working with the LFS EQ team, particularly surrounding the demographic questions and their redevelopment on the LFS- this encourages strong links between Census, demographic analysis and social surveys ensuring that the demographic harmonised principles are being assessed and they are as up to date as they can be at this point in time. I continue to monitor the work that Census is doing which may impact upon the demographic harmonised standards E.g. Household relationship grid, sex etc. Work planned for the next reporting period I will continue to monitor the work Census is doing on the marital status question with the aim to produce a new harmonised standard in the future. Key Issues and Risks (Summary of actual or potential problems along with risks, potential impacts and sensitivities linked to individual needs of UK nations) Other Information (Any other relevant details)

Economic Activity Roger Smith (ONS) No Report Received

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Education Julian Austin/Tony Clarke (DfE)

Report not expected – new topic leads just appointed

EILR Topic Lead Becki Aquilina (ONS) (temporary) Topic Group Members (inc Gov Dept from)

Nissa Finney – University of Edinburgh Ludi Simpson – University of Manchester Karen Hurrell – EHRC James Denman – DCLG Michael Berry – DWP Noah Uhrig – MoJ Marcia Merchant – DfE Richard Cameron – GLA Gerry Firkins – NHS Digital Nick Armitage – NHS Digital Charlie Wroth-Smith – ONS Harmonisation Becki Aquilina – ONS Harmonisation Emma Small – Welsh Government Sue Leake – Welsh Government Emma Morgan – NISRA Cecilia MacIntyre – NRS Jay Gillam – NRS Maria O’Beirne – DCLG Stephen Richards – LGA Josh Leedale – BEIS Rebecca Williams – CTP Questionnaire and Question Design (secretariat)

Reporting Period March to June 2017 Surveys the Harmonised Questions are used on

Looking into this

Summary Status (An overview of the status of the topic work at this time) Ethnicity Previously reported that Census and Harmonisation Team held a joint cross government Ethnicity Assurance Panel on 30th January to discuss potential changes to the Ethnicity Question and the impact within their organisation – a template was produced and circulated to members, to be returned by 3rd March and discussed at the next Ethnicity Assurance Panel which was held on 20th March. Since then a further meeting was held 21st June whereby the evaluation of the scoring for proposed additional topic was agreed and approved. The Harmonisation team also organised an ONS Ethnic Group Forum; invited Admin Data Census (ADC), Census and DCTP/LFS to present their findings and research on ethnicity questions – this was set up to ensure a joined up approach across ONS and to improve Harmonisation. The first meeting was held 19th June 2017. Alongside this, Charlie is involved in the cross government Racial Disparity Unit (RDU) which is looking to produce a report at the end of July regarding various disadvantages relating to ethnicity – the RDU agreed to use the current Harmonised question for Ethnicity which is the Census 2011 version. Religion An issue was identified with the Harmonisation document for Identity and Religion (S11): the Annex showing the previous version (what is your religion, even if you are not currently practising) was not labelled as previous which led to confusion and has been amended. Also measuring Equality and Wellbeing information on the harmonised question for Religion is misleading (indicating that an optional extra question for religion is harmonised) – need to look into this further. Progress made during this reporting period

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NSHG (17:2) 09 • Working closely with Census and attending EILR Census topic groups and the GSS Ethnicity

Assurance Panel • Set up the ONS Ethnic Group Forum (first meeting – 19th June 2017) Work planned for the next reporting period • Continued Harmonisation presence at Census Topic Group for EILR • Provide a report on the impact of change to the ethnicity question • Attend 4th Ethnicity Assurance Panel ( date tbc) • Hold 2nd ONS Group Forum (planned 15th September) and discuss latest findings to research,

qualitative and quantitative testing and produce a critical timeline for Census and DCTP (which includes the LFS)

• Use the VQB to gain more insight into which surveys are asking questions on EILR Key Issues and Risks (Summary of actual or potential issues along with risks, potential impacts and sensitivities linked to individual needs of UK nations) There is a risk to the comparability of the ethnicity question between the LFS and the Census Other Information (Any other relevant details)

Gender Identity Michelle Monkman (ONS)

No Report Received

Health, Disability and Carers Topic Lead Steve Webster (NHS-Digital) Topic Group Members (inc Gov Dept from)

Victoria Wass Cardiff University Nick Bacon UCL Gyles Glover DH/PHE Kim Bradford-Smith DfID

Reporting Period March to June 2017 Surveys the Harmonised Questions are used on

Health Survey for England, Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use among Young People survey, others TBC

Summary Status (An overview of the status of the topic work at this time) Ongoing work on checking surveys for harmonised questions, liaising with prospective topic group members and considering first theme to be reviewed. Progress made during this reporting period Four topic group members recruited, two NHSD surveys reviewed for use of harmonised questions. Work planned for the next reporting period More topic group members being sought, further surveys to be looked at, finalise first standard to be reviewed, probably 'Long-lasting Health Conditions and Illnesses'. Proposal for new survey on Mental health of children looked after in England with DH Ministers. Key Issues and Risks (Summary of actual or potential issues along with risks, potential impacts and sensitivities linked to individual needs of UK nations) Key risk continues to be limited resource to devote to this group in a climate of reducing funding and staffing reprioritisation in NHS Digital. Other Information (Any other relevant details)

Housing and Tenure Scott Edgar (DCLG) No Report Received

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Income Topic Lead Matthew Minifie (ONS) Topic Group Members (inc Gov Dept from)

Matthew Elsby (HMT), Anne MacDonald (SG), John Shale (DWP), Joanna Wroe (ONS), Alan Jackson (WG), Jo Bulman (ONS), Laura Keyse (ONS), Jennifer Doak (NISRA), Jeremy Reuben (HMRC)

Reporting Period March to June 2017 Surveys the Harmonised Questions are used on

No formally agreed harmonised questions on all income components

Summary Status (An overview of the status of the topic work at this time) The previously published harmonised standard for income has been removed from GSS harmonisation documentation as it was too simplistic and not fit for purpose. The group will now try to focus on working towards producing income outputs that are consistent with the internationally agreed standards outlined in the Canberra Group Handbook. Further harmonisation of income questions on ONS social surveys (Survey on Living Conditions, Living Costs and Food Survey and Wealth and Assets Survey) continues. Progress made during this reporting period Removal of the not fit for purpose harmonised standard for income data collection. Productive discussions with NSHG on the way forward for the income subgroup which will mirror what has been done with business turnover. Work planned for the next reporting period Further harmonisation of income questions on ONS social surveys. Discussion planned at next Income Working Group on how the different organisations can improve coherency amongst income outputs and increase alignment with the Canberra Group Handbook. Key Issues and Risks (Summary of actual or potential issues along with risks, potential impacts and sensitivities linked to individual needs of UK nations) Any changes to questions will create consistency issues and breaks in time series. This is particularly a problem for the Living Costs and Food Survey as it is widely used and has many stakeholders who do not like breaks in series. Breaks in time series are often seen as undesirable. ONS is looking at incorporating administrative data sources into their plan for an integrated household finance survey. This does have an impact on any potential question changes as these should be consistent with the administrative data sources so as to minimise the effects of the expected future transition to using administrative data instead of responses to survey questions. The EU referendum result does create some uncertainty as to how exactly to proceed with elements of the integrated household financial survey. Some aspects of income collection at present satisfy European requirements and whether these will still be required in the long term is not currently known. There are different owners of the surveys that collect income statistics. The different owners may have differing requirements of the income data and so this adds an extra level of difficulty for ensuring complete harmonisation between all the surveys. Questions required for non-compulsory social surveys are likely to need different wording to those questions in compulsory surveys sent out to businesses. To achieve harmonisation requires more than just question harmonisation. Editing, imputation and weighting have very signification impacts on income statistics. It is therefore necessary to investigate the harmonisation of editing, imputation and weighting of income data. Other Information (Any other relevant details)

Migration, Country of Birth and Citizenship Topic Lead Penni McClure (ONS) Topic Group Members (inc Gov Dept from)

Nicola White (Migration Statistics Unit, ONS) Nick Palmer (Labour Market Division, ONS) Giles Horsfield (International Passenger Survey, ONS) Amy Everton (Home Office)

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David Matz (Home Office) Alan Jackson (Welsh Government) Richard Eliiott (NISRA) Denise Patrick (NRS) Joshua Leedale (BEIS) Russ Bentley (DWP) Scott Johnston (HMRC) James Cox (DfE)

Reporting Period March to June 2017 Surveys the Harmonised Questions are used on

International Passenger Survey

Summary Status (An overview of the status of the topic work at this time) Underway. Report almost ready to go to the NSHG Steering Group, subject to changes made based on comments. Progress made during this reporting period Template of report read and commented on. Currently working through comments. Work planned for the next reporting period Report to be sent to NSHG Steering Group. Key Issues and Risks (Summary of actual or potential issues along with risks, potential impacts and sensitivities linked to individual needs of UK nations) None identified. Other Information (Any other relevant details)

Pensions Bonang Lewis (ONS)

Nothing to report this period

Personal Well-being Matt Steel (ONS)

Report not expected – revised Harmonised Principle just published

Social Capital Topic Lead Katrina Morrison (ONS) Topic Group Members (inc Gov Dept from)

Reporting Period March to June 2017 Surveys Harmonised Questions Used on

N/A – 2003 Harmonised principles are now out of date.

Summary Status (An overview of the status of the work at this time) We recently updated our Social Capital headline indicator set (May 2017). These indicators have been aligned with the measuring national wellbeing domains and measures indicator set to encourage coherence and consistent use of data sources across the measuring national wellbeing programme. We were hoping to begin our consultation on adapting the harmonised principles on the publication date of the revised headline indicators; however Purdah meant that we were unable to begin this process until after the election. We currently have 2 drafted questions which we are now intending to send out to key stakeholders to gain feedback from and we are hoping to frame our proposal for the new harmonised questions

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NSHG (17:2) 09 around the 23 indicators of Social Capital published in May 2017. However alongside this proposal we will investigate the relevance of 4 “core” proposed Social Capital measures for policy evaluation put forward by the Cabinet Office. We are evaluating their use in some of the main surveys and considering how we can “appraise how potential policies might impact social capital” and “evaluate the actual impact of their policies”. Progress made during this reporting period

• May 2017 Social capital indicator update • Draft questions ready for circulation to key stakeholders

Work planned for the next reporting period We are going to contact our Social Capital stakeholders in order to gain their feedback and perspectives and take these forward with plans for a full review of the measures which we hope will be closely aligned to our indicators of social capital. Key Issues and Risks (Summary of actual or potential problems along with risks, potential impacts and sensitivities linked to individual needs of UK nations)

- Gaining prompt feedback from stakeholders Other Information (Any other relevant details)

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