Office for National Statistics

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the UK’s largest independent producer of official statistics and the recognised national statistical institute of the UK. It plays a leading role in the development of national and international good practice in the production of official statistics.

ONS produces of a wide range of statistics covering the UK economy, society and other key areas such as:

  • crime and migration
  • UK population and demography, including births and death, and the 2011 Census for England and Wales
  • health and lifestyle choices
  • environmental issues
  • tourism
  • societal well-being
  • fire and rescue services

Since the early 1970s, the UK Data Service and its predecessors have worked closely with ONS to ensure the deposit of many of its major survey series. In 2012, a new Concordat between ONS and the UK Data Service was signed setting out rights and levels of access associated with different types of data created by ONS. Where possible, microdata is available under an Open Government Licence.