DfE criticised again over its use of statistics

UK Statistics Watchdog (UKSA) has written to the Department for Education telling it to to publish a “comprehensive set” of official figures because of concerns with the presentation of school funding figures.

The letter from Ed Humpherson, director general for regulation at the UK Statistics Watchdog (UKSA), urged the department to focus on “not just whether the statements correctly quote the statistics, but also whether, in the context, the use being made of them is liable to mislead”.

The UKSA has now formally recommended the DfE regularly publish official figures laying out school funding. The letter said: "I believe it would help support public understanding if the Department were to publish a consistent and comprehensive set of official statistics on school funding, to which all participants in public debate could refer."

The letter also highlighted the importance of context. It said: "I would encourage you to focus on not just whether the statements correctly quote the statistics, but also whether, in the context, the use being made of them is liable to mislead.".

“Your department has strived to improve the technical accuracy of statements made on school funding. However, we have concerns with the presentation of school funding figures,” the letter read.

Examples of complaints received included over schools minister Nick Gibb’s use of school spending figures on Channel 4, where it “was not clear from the minister’s statements that he was referring to schools’ budget for 5 to 16 years olds only”.

Concerns were also raised about other statistics used by the department’s ministers, such as the replicability of music GCSE figures used by Gibb in an oral evidence session in the House of Commons, and another from education secretary Damian Hinds over claims regarding improved outcomes for sponsored academies since 2010.

It is the fifth time in the past 18 months that the DfE has been reprimanded by the statistics watchdog for its use of figures.