In this episode we explore how the ONS measures our natural environment and the green economy. Relevant datasets: ONS Environmental Accounts Transcript MILES FLETCHER Welcome again to Statistically Speaking, the official podcast of the UK’s Office for National Statistics. I'm Miles Fletcher and this time we're getting back to nature as we explore t…

With the public release of large language models like Chat GPT putting Artificial Intelligence (AI) firmly on our radar, this episode explores what benefits this technology might hold for statistics and analysis, as well as policymaking and public services. Joining host, Miles Fletcher, to discuss the groundbreaking work being done in this area by …

The ONS podcast returns, this time looking at the importance of communicating uncertainty in statistics. Joining host Miles Fletcher to discuss is Sir Robert Chote, Chair of the UKSA; Dr Craig McLaren, of the ONS; and Professor Mairi Spowage, director of the Fraser of Allander Institute. Transcript MILES FLETCHER Welcome back to Statistically Speak…

In this episode Miles is joined by the National Statistician, Sir Ian Diamond, to reflect on what has been a busy and transformative year at the Office for National Statistics. Transcript MILES FLETCHER This is “Statistically Speaking”, the official podcast of the UK Office for National Statistics, I’m Miles Fletcher. This is our 20th episode, in f…

The ONS led the way informing the UK response to the Coronavirus pandemic. But what lessons can be learned and how can we best prepare not only ourselves, but the rest of the world, for the next pandemic? Transcript MILES FLETCHER This is Statistically Speaking, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Podcast. I'm Miles Fletcher, and as we approac…

In this episode we talk about the growth of data use in the media and the potential impact of misinformation on the public’s trust in official statistics. Navigating podcast host Miles Fletcher through this minefield is Prof Sir David Spiegelhalter, from the University of Cambridge; Ed Humpherson, Head of the Office for Statistics Regulation; and a…

In this episode, we explore ONS’s work with other countries to raise the world's statistical capabilities. Transcript MILES FLETCHER Hello and welcome again to ‘Statistically Speaking’, the Office for National Statistics’ Podcast. I'm Miles Fletcher, and in this episode we're going international. Now it hardly needs saying that global issues, clima…

In this episode we chat to members of the ONS Social Survey Collection Division about the importance, and challenges, of getting the general public to take part in crucial surveys that help paint a picture of what life is like across Britain. Transcript MILES FLETCHER Welcome again to ‘Statistically Speaking’, the official podcast of the UK’s Offic…

In this episode we discuss how the ONS has been working to transform the way we count the population, using new datasets to give more accurate, timely, and detailed measurements. On 29 June 2023, the ONS will be launching a public consultation on its proposals for a transformed population and migration statistics system. Understanding user needs wi…

In this episode of Statistically Speaking we shine the spotlight on local data and look at how good statistics for small areas make for better targeted policy interventions, and more effective use of valuable public resources. Transcript MILES FLETCHER Welcome again to Statistically Speaking, the Office for National Statistics podcast. I'm Miles Fl…

In this episode, we focus on a powerful example of when the numbers alone are simply not enough. The most recent Census has told us how many people have some form of disability but to really understand the nature of those disabilities and the needs of people reporting them we need to do a lot more work. Guiding us through this work, is Helen Colvin…

With news headlines proclaiming the UK has ‘narrowly avoided a recession’, we decode the ‘r’ word and explain why this sometimes misleading term is one the ONS is often cautious to avoid. We get the lowdown on GDP (Gross Domestic Product); discuss whether its time as the yardstick for measuring the success or failure of the world’s economies is com…

Miles explores how data linking can help tackle cross-cutting issues in an increasingly uncertain world, and how the ONS’ new Integrated Data Service will provide a step-change transformation in how researchers will be able to access public data. Joining him are ONS colleagues Bill South, Deputy Director of Research Services and Data Access; Jason …

National Statistician, Sir Ian Diamond, joins Miles in a slightly festive episode of Statistically Speaking, to look back on some of the highlights and challenges for the ONS in 2022 while gazing positively, but objectively, towards 2023. TRANSCRIPT MILES FLETCHER Hello, and as another statistical year draws to an end you join us for a slightly fes…

Miles is joined by colleagues from the Health and Life Events team to explore how data is good for our health. Within the diagnosis: the Health Index, dubbed “the GDP of health”; the impacts of Covid-19 as well as an ageing society; and the increasing importance of linking data from numerous sources to generate complex insights that inform decision…

In this episode of Statistically Speaking Miles is helped with his enquiries by Meghan Elkin and Billy Gazard from the Office for National Statistics, as he investigates how we use data to get valuable insights into the impact of crime on modern society. Along the way he debunks common misconceptions; learns how the nature of crime continues to evo…

In this episode Miles is joined by Professor Luciano Floridi of Oxford University; Simon Whitworth of the UK Statistics Authority; and Pete Stokes from the ONS to talk about data ethics and public trust in official statistics. TRANSCRIPT MILES FLETCHER Hello, I'm Miles Fletcher, and in this episode of Statistically Speaking we're exploring data eth…

David Freeman and Nicola White join Miles to discuss how the Office for National Statistics (ONS) tracks employment and pay across the UK. Transcript: Hello and welcome again to Statistically Speaking, the Office for National Statistics podcast. In this episode, we enter the world of work and clock on for a shift with the ONS labour market team. We…

In this episode Miles is joined by Dr James Tucker and Sarah Caul MBE to talk about how and why the Office for National Statistics count births and deaths, and what current fertility trends might mean for the future population. They look at the impact of popular culture on the most common baby names in England and Wales, and discuss the new signifi…

Our topic this time, and it's a big one, is the economy. The science of measuring rapid change in a complex, globalised and now increasingly turbulent economic situation. In this episode Miles is joined by second permanent secretary Sam Beckett, and head of inflation, Mike Hardie, to look at how the ONS is keeping on top of rising prices, and how t…

In the third episode of Statistically Speaking we talk to Professor Sir Ian Diamond, the UK’s National Statistician, and Dr Louisa Nolan, Chief Data Scientist at the ONS Data Science Campus about the past, present and future of stats. We explore how the pandemic has been transformative for the use and understanding of public data and how the data r…

Since 1801 the UK has undertaken the mammoth task of counting its entire population, transforming over the years to uncover a wealth of information about the people of our country. With all the data collected for Census 2021 our most comprehensive quality assurance programme ever is currently under way, drawing on the unique insight and expertise o…

Since April 2020, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey has provided vital weekly snapshots of the level of SARS-CoV-2 virus circulating within the community. We’re joined by three central figures in the project, Ruth Studley, Tina Thomas and Professor Sarah Walker, for the inside story on one of ONS’s most ambitious surveys, set up in a matt…

Statistically Speaking is the Office for National Statistics' regular monthly podcast, offering in-depth interviews on the latest hot topics in the world of data, taking a peek behind the scenes of the UK’s largest independent producer of official statistics and exploring the stories behind the numbers.…

Episode 4 - The Beer market is growing significantly and is expected to influence the market growth across developing countries. The worldwide revenue of US$281 billion in 2017 is expected to increase to US$309 billion by 2021. Featuring Eric Marmon, Zach Lloyd, & Eamon Monaghan. The report discussed in the podcast is available here: https://www.st…

Episode 3 - Apple's iOS is losing ground in key markets (https://www.statista.com/chart/12566/ios-market-share-comparison/), People in the U.S. & Canada are having better days than Europeans (https://www.statista.com/chart/12545/people-who-had-a-good-typical-or-bad-day-in-selected-countries/), and which social media platforms should be killed off (…

Episode 2 - Statistically Speaking's Zach Lloyd sits down for an interview with our consumer technology expert Matthew Struble to discuss the next big thing in Tech. Among the big tech trends of the past years, 4K or Ultra HD TVs have been most successful in turning hype into actual sales. Which emerging tech products are here to stay, and which ar…

Episode 1 - The Average Annual Spending on Amazon by User Types, U.S. Oil Production, America's Most & Least Trusted Professionals, the Projected Growth of U.S. Medical Marijuana Sales, & America's Smartphone Addiction. Featuring Eric Marmon, Zach Lloyd, & Eamon Monaghan. All infographics discussed on the Podcast are available for free at Statista.…

In the next episode of Statistically Speaking, Vinny and Casey discuss car problems, dinner parties, and much more.Av Statistically Speaking

In the first episode of Statistically Speaking, Vinny and Casey discuss the potential histories of their very first statistic, lumberjacks in Montana, kangaroo mating, and more.Av Statistically Speaking