States of Jersey Statistics Unit has become Statistics Jersey

23 February 2018

Today the States of Jersey Statistics Unit has become Statistics Jersey, following approval and registration of the Statistics and Census (Jersey) Law 2018. The Unit has been functioning independently, both professionally and operationally, and that status is now enshrined in law.

Statistics Jersey exists to provide the general public, businesses and public authorities with relevant, accurate and up to date demographic, social and economic information about Jersey. It provides high quality and independent information to help the States of Jersey make informed decisions about the design and delivery of public services.

The new law puts an onus on Statistics Jersey to re-use data already collected by the States of Jersey wherever possible, reducing the burden placed on businesses and people. The law provides a legal gateway for data from across the public sector to be shared with Statistics Jersey for statistical purposes. Statistics Jersey hope in particular to be able to develop an ‘e-census’, whereby administrative data held by government departments is used to supplement traditional census methods in order to count the resident population of Jersey.

Statistics Jersey will continue to use voluntary surveys to gather information from households and businesses. It may run mandatory surveys of businesses if the essential information cannot be obtained through other means.

Data provided to Statistics Jersey, by government departments, businesses or individuals, is comprehensively protected by the legislation, and must only be used for statistical purposes. Statistics Jersey will never share or publish identifiable information about individuals or businesses.

The Chief Statistician, Dr Duncan Gibaut, says:

“This new legislation secures for the future a high quality and independent Statistics Jersey. We exist to provide a relevant, accurate and objective data service for all Islanders and businesses and to help the States of Jersey make informed, evidence-based decisions.

The legislation allows us to continue to move forwards and make improvements to the way we work, for example using data already held by the States of Jersey wherever possible. Businesses and Islanders can be reassured that any data shared with us will be kept confidential and will only be used for statistical purposes.”