Abstract

Local government financial data plays a critical role in shaping national statistics, fiscal forecasts, and policy decisions. However, ensuring accurate and timely data flows from local authorities to central bodies such as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has proven challenging. To address these issues, we have recently established a Local Government Financial Information Task Force with the primary objective of improving the quality, consistency, and timeliness of data submissions.

The task force is undertaking a comprehensive mapping of data flows between outputs from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, ONS and HM Treasury statistics, and Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts. This work aims to identify bottlenecks and misalignments that hinder effective data integration. In addition, we are implementing measures to strengthen the accuracy of inputs and ensure that appropriate expertise informs interpretation, enabling well-founded judgments across ONS and OBR outputs.

Our presentation will outline the challenges encountered in securing reliable data, the steps being taken to overcome these obstacles, and the collaborative approach underpinning this initiative. We also seek to open an international dialogue on whether similar issues arise in other jurisdictions and explore potential solutions that can be shared globally. By improving data flows and fostering cross-border learning, we aim to enhance the robustness of fiscal analysis and decision-making.