1. Harmonisation Explained

2. Introduction The Next few slides will explain; What is harmonisation? Who are the Harmonisation Team? Why Harmonise? Governance of Harmonisation The difference between Primary and Secondary standards What sub topic groups have been formed Our achievements The next steps

3. What is Harmonisation Harmonisation is a cross-governmental programme of work. It aims to standardise statistical inputs and outputs, making it easier for users to draw clearer and more robust comparisons between data sources. This process is managed for the Government Statistical Service (GSS) by the National Statistical Harmonisation Group (NSHG).

4. The Harmonisation Team Jennet Woolford Jan Thomas Becki Aquilina Mark Herniman Glen Doubleday

5. Harmonisation – Why Standardise? Drivers for Harmonisation Legislation - Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 – Section 9 (1) The Board is to — (a) develop and maintain definitions, methodologies, classifications and standards for official statistics, and (b) promote their use in relation to official statistics. EU Compliance - standard classifications are required by the EU for such as NACE Revision 2 (UKSIC 2007) Regulation (EC) 1893/2006 Article 4. Data quality - Standard output classifications can be used to reduce avoidable differences in outputs Comparability - for cross survey/country analysis and integration. Integration - Consistent classifications will enable the comparison of statistical products. Dissemination Equalities Data Review findings

6. Governance of Harmonisation NSHG Topic Groups report to The NSHG which reports to The Government Statistical Service, Statistical Policy and Standards Committee (GSS SPSC) who report to The Heads of Profession (HoPs)

7. Primary Standards; Are used on all, or nearly all major Government household surveys They are a standard means of collecting information

8. Primary Standards PRIMARY SET OF HARMONISED CONCEPTS & QUESTIONS DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION, HOUSHOLD COMPOSITION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INC AGE, SEX AND CIVIL PARTNERSHIP STATUS) ECONOMIC STATUS AND OCCUPATION ETHNIC GROUP OTHER PRIMARY STANDARDS (Inc Survey Reference Periods, Geography, Educational Attainment, Tenure and Mobile Phone Users) GENERAL HEALTH AND CARERS LONG-LASTING HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ILLNESSES

9. Secondary Standards; Are used on selected group of surveys Are survey specific and generally contain more detail

10. Secondary Standards SECONDARY SET OF HARMONISED CONCEPTS & QUESTIONS BENEFITS & TAX CREDITS ACCOMODATION AND HOUSEHOLD INFORMATION CONSUMER DURABLES HOUSING COSTS AND BENEFIT NATIONAL IDENTITY & RELIGION INTERNET ACCESS CRIME AND FEAR OF CRIME INCOME SELECTED JOB DETAILS SOCIAL CAPITAL SEXUAL IDENTITY OTHER SECONDARY STANDARDS

11. Difficulties and Challenges Quality Assurance procedures Different methods of data collection may require different standard questions Conflicting priorities across Other Government Department’s (OGDs) The ‘encouragement’ of Uptake of standards across the Government Statistical Service (GSS) Harmonisation across UK (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales)

12. Topic Groups Benefits and Tax Credits Consumer Durables Country of Birth (COB), Migration and Citizenship Crime, Anti-Social Behaviour and Social Capital Demographic Information Health, Disability and Carers Economic Activity Education Ethnicity, Identity, Language and Religion (EILR) – Inc Sexual Identity Housing and Tenure Income Pensions

13. Why it is Important to Review the Standards? To ensure that standards are still relevant To develop and promote further standards To ensure there are no question overlap(s) To accommodate changes in society (Civil Partnership for example) To take note of new Government legislation and initiatives (changes to benefits for example) And to ensure standards are fit for purpose and meet user needs

14. Achievements to Date Successful Workshops with stakeholders from across the Government Statistical Service (GSS) The formulation of 12 Sub topic groups Update of the harmonisation Web Pages Production of an A-Z quick reference guide General Health, Ethnic Group, National Identity and Religion, Consumer Durables and Economic Activity Harmonised Standards fully revised and published. A new standard, Long-lasting Health Conditions and Illnesses, has been published.

15. Next Steps, to be Considered……… Sexual Identity & Accommodation and Household Information ……pending agreement Language Working towards preparations for assessment Harmonisation of administrative data Business surveys harmonisation Proactivity and communications

16. For more information about Harmonisation Please visit our web pages; http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide- method/harmonisation/harmonisation-index- page/index.html OR email the Harmonisation team; harmonisation@ons.gsi.gov.uk OR Call 01329 444017