Delays from stats office over dodgy figures

Monday 17 March 2014

The Population Office has been criticised by the Island’s chief statistician who has refused to put out reports based on the stats that they have submitted.

The head of the independent States statistics unit, Dr Duncan Gibaut, says that updates on the Island’s population and workforce will not be published as scheduled because there are issues with the "coverage and quality" of the information that the system is picking up. He also says that he might have to put off the figures that measure the size of the economy.

There have been issues with the new system, which was years in the making: its introduction was delayed over IT problems, and when it was brought in the website through which businesses have to submit returns crashed almost immediately.

Dr Gibaut says that he cannot guarantee the accuracy of any reports using the information that the Population Office have given him and that he is holding out until he gets data from them that is both reliable and accurate.

That means that voters could go to the polls in October without reliable information on whether ministers’ economic plans are working, how population controls are functioning or what has happened to employment in the public and private sector.

In a statement issued today, Dr Gibaut wrote: “It is with considerable regret that I have felt it necessary to postpone the publication of these important reports.

“The Statistics Unit continually strives to provide a first-rate statistical service for everyone in Jersey, in government, business and the general public.

“ As soon as I am confident that the data compiled by the Manpower Survey is sufficiently reliable and accurate, I will announce revised publication dates for these reports.”

Dr Gibaut first raised concerns about the data from the Population Office six months ago.