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Scottish Statistics Plan
Appendix

Achievement of 2005/06 Plan

Here is a summary of the achievement of the Plan for 2005/06.

Demographic Statistics Service

Provide the demographic context and information for the sound government of Scotland.

• Deliver National Statistics outputs on pre-announced dates and meet customer requests within stated timescale. 
  Achieved.  Particular attention was paid to briefing customers on the 2004-based population projections published in October (for Scotland) and December (for council and NHS Board areas).
  

• Review the coverage and presentation of statistics on this website (October 2005).  Achieved in part, and changes made to website.  Scope for more improvement, which is being pursued.

• Publish small area population estimates at datazone level for 2001-2004 (October 2005). Achieved.
  

• Provide long-term trend data on this website to supplement the information on 150 years of Scottish demographic statistics to be included in the Registrar General’s Annual Report for 2004 (July 2005).
  Achieved.
  

• Develop a methodology for producing household estimates and projections at local authority level, and small area household estimates, which are consistent, timely and better meet our customers’ needs (May 2006). 
  Achieved and ongoing.  Estimates of the number of households in each local authority area are now based on information from Council Tax billing systems, following a methodology review agreed with the relevant sub-group of the Population and Migration Statistics Group  (latest estimates published in December 2005).  A detailed data specification for developing estimates of the number of households at small area level from Council Tax systems was produced and work is being taken forward by software suppliers.

2011 Conventional Census

Plan and implement a development programme towards a high quality census in 2011 as the default option for meeting the needs of users for the type of information normally collected in a census.

• During 2005/2006 deliver systems and services as follows for the 2006 Census Test: Field Management Information System, Data Processing Services, Geographical Services, Field Communications Infrastructure. 
  Achieved: Census Test date 23 April 2006.

• Continue to work closely with the Office of National Statistics (ONS) and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Resarch Agency (NISRA) to identify the extent to which our requirements can be met via jointly procured contracts. 
  Achieved: agreed in November 2005 that key contract for data processing and other services should be United Kingdom-wide.

Census Alternatives

Review, pilot and where possible implement the options for meeting user needs for the kind of information normally collected in a Census, from alternative sources such as administrative records or surveys.

• Undertake investigation of administrative data sources and evaluate their potential to supplement and replace Census in future years. 
  Good progress made, notably in evaluating the read-across between intercensal population estimates and education department sources, Census and Community Health Index (CHI) and Census and  Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) car registration data.  Ensured new regulations allowed access to electoral roll data and began building time series from benefit records to help quality assure current population estimates and develop new methdologies.
   
• Continue to facilitate data matching projects in compliance with current legislation and National Statistics (NS) protocols and ensure lessons are learned for GROS work on developing an integrated system of population statistics. 
  Some progress made, particularly bringing Scottish Longitudinal Survey database close to completion and contributing to the Scottish Excecutive (SE)/local authority Customer First programme to produce an entitlement card and improve back-office efficiency. Contributed to the creation of new research resource integrating census ethnicity information with administrative data on cardiac disease and the production of a research report on the findings.
    
• Promote the use of the Scottish Longitudinal Survey database and arrange an introductory seminar for Scottish Executive staff (April 2006). 
  Achieved.

General Register Office for Scotland