1. Measuring Respondent Burden at the UK Office for National Statistics Denise Williams, Sarah Green & Jacqui Jones

2. Presentation overview Survey Control Unit Better regulation Response burden targets Measuring response burden (Old and New) Slide 2

3. Survey Control Unit 1969 Survey Control Unit established Guardians of Prime Minister’s (PM) instructions – control of statistical surveys – framework for managing burden PM instructions updated every 5 years Slide 3

4. Survey Control Unit Co-ordinates across all government departments in terms of: Response burden New survey proposals Alternative sources Reviews of regular surveys Annual report Slide 4

5. Better Regulation Agenda being to measure and reduce the cost to business associated with complying with government regulations Three reviews (2005): Hampton review Regulation – Less is More. Reducing Burdens, Improving Outcomes Administrative Burdens Measurement Exercise Slide 5

6. Better Regulation Targets ONS was set the following targets: By 2010 25% reduction in categories B & C B – surveys to met EU requirements but EU regulations do not specify information business has to provide C – surveys to meet UK needs no EU requirements By 2015 25% reduction in category A A – surveys conducted to comply with EU regulations and international rules describe the information that businesses should provide Slide 6

7. Measuring Response Burden Old method: used during survey control reviews 20% of survey sample postal self-completion questionnaire calculated by: (No. of questionnaires (100% response)) * (estimated completion time) * (an appropriate hourly rate) + Uprating for respondent re-contacts Slide 7

8. Measuring Response Burden The need for change was driven by European Union initiative Introduced Standard Cost Model approach: –transparent measurement –measures administrative burden –highlights impact of international legislation –data collected in face-to-face interviews Slide 8

9. Measuring Response Burden Standard Cost Model (SCM) very similar to ‘old’ method SCM = price * quantity Price = tariff * time Quantity = number of enterprises + frequency Slide 9

10. Measuring Response Burden Key differences: sample design mode of collection level of detail Slide 10

11. Measuring Response Burden ONS design for SCM approach: Implement quantitative rather than qualitative approach Slide 11

12. Measuring Response Burden Introduction of ‘new’ SCM method maintain ‘old’ method with: – new sample design Slide 12

13. Measuring Response Burden – new questionnaire * Breakdown of responding activity * Information already available * External costs * Survey irritants Slide13

14. Review questionnaire Slide 14

15. Measuring Response Burden – ASHE pay rates – 30% uplift for overheads – inclusion of survey frequency – mean response burden – data collection tool Slide 15

16. Measuring Response Burden New method formula: mean weighted cost per questionnaire + recontact uplift * number of questionnaires in survey sample * survey frequency Slide 16

17. Measuring Response Burden Roll-out of new method: Two pilots informed: – further changes to the questionnaire – changes to the data collection tool – recommendation to send out response burden questionnaires with survey Roll-out over next 5 years Slide 17

18. Thank you jacqui.jones@ons.gov.uk