Abstract
Government control over the financing of official statistics has long been seen as threat to their integrity. This paper reviews the personal experience of the author over 40 years working in and around official statistics in the United Kingdom. It notes that as a state function, official statistics must be funded by the state and respect the accountability arrangements necessary for state funding to be seen as legitimate. It considers that the critical element is strong protection from partisan manipulation for political ends. The paper concludes that the COVID pandemic has accelerated a trend for recognition of the value of official statistics and the consequent need for commensurate state funding.
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