Improved Migration Statistics

The report of the Inter-Departmental Task Force on Migration Statistics was published on 15 December 2006 by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and is available from the Office for National Statistics - Improving Migration and Population Statistics page.

The task force, which aimed to identify ways of improving measurement of the numbers of people taking up residence in or leaving the UK, was set up by Karen Dunnell, National Statistician and Registrar General for England & Wales. The General Register Office for Scotland represented the devolved administrations on this task force, and will work with the ONS on the implementation of the recommendations.

The key improvements in the report include

Better information on migrants collected at point of entry to the country

More comprehensive and timely information about migrants living here

Use of administrative information held by Government Departments to improve coverage of migrants in statistics

Better statistical techniques bringing together the wider range of information to provide robust indicators.