UK statistics office evaluates potential delay to its overhauled jobs survey - report

The UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) is considering delaying the implementation of its updated labour market survey by up to six months. Initially scheduled for November 2024, the transition may now extend to May 2027, raising serious concerns over data reliability that policymakers, including the Bank of England, have previously criticized. Despite ongoing issues since late 2023 regarding the quality of labour market data, the ONS's labour market report remains the best gauge available at this time. However, data integrity challenges have been apparent, including pauses in publishing key indices. This ongoing uncertainty around employment metrics suggests that the ONS must prioritize enhancing data quality to provide reliable indicators necessary for sound economic policymaking.