Harmonisation Handbook Close Handbook Introduction to Harmonisation Benefits

Harmonisation Handbook Close Handbook Introduction to Harmonisation Benefits of Harmonisation Harmonised Principles NSHG Members Harmonisation Process Harmonisation Governance Roles and Responsibilities NSHG Harmonisation Case Studies Meetings and Workshops NSHG Terms of Reference Harmonisation Resources Harmonisation Team Details Version: June 2018, v 1. 5

What is Harmonisation? • it is a UK cross governmental programme • it aims to make statistical definitions, questions and outputs comparable across the Government Statistical Service • it aims to facilitate clearer and more robust comparisons between data sources and to improve data quality Next Page Main Index

What is Harmonisation? Harmonisation is about making questions, definitions, variables and outputs across all official statistics comparable. Back Next Page Main Index

The Harmonisation Vision “All inputs, processing and outputs for the Census and surveys and all data from administrative records will be harmonised… …so that users can compare data from different sources with confidence… …and can merge and match data more easily… …taking account of international implications”. Back Next Page Main Index

Why Harmonise? The UK has a wide range of government surveys that provide sources of social and economic information. The Census is the largest and best known, but there are many others covering topics such as economic activity, income, expenditure, food, health, education, housing and transport. These surveys were designed at different times, to meet different needs, and have been commissioned by a range of departments. Consequently, the surveys were developed mostly in isolation from each other. This resulted in a lack of cohesion. Differences arose in concepts, definitions, design, fieldwork and processing practices, or “inputs”, and also in the way results are released, or “outputs”. Therefore data are often inconsistent and not comparable. Much work has already been done with the harmonisation of Government social surveys and work is now taking place to look at harmonising business statistics and administrative data. Several initiatives have been identified across the GSS that harmonisation can facilitate as part of the delivery of these programmes. Back Next Page Main Index

Harmonised not Standardised Back Next Page Main Index

Harmonisation v Standardisation There is a difference between Harmonisation and Standardisation: • standardisation involves adopting uniform questions, methodology, processes or outputs to measure an item • harmonisation brings together various types, levels and sources of data in such a way that they may be comparable The next page shows an example of how ethnicity has been harmonised within the UK. Back Next Page Main Index

Ethnicity Response Categories on UK Censuses What is your ethnic group? England White 1. English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British 2. Irish 3. Gypsy or Irish Traveller 4. Any other White background, please describe Scotland White 1. Scottish 2. Other British 3. Irish 4. Gypsy/Traveller 5. Polish 6. Any other White ethnic group, please describe Welsh and English forms differ in response order, the Northern Irish form has less options and the Scottish census enables reporting of Polish ethnicity. Standardisation would mandate use of the same question and not allow subtle, but necessary differences. Harmonisation allows this by providing output categories that allow for the aggregation of responses at UK level. The harmonised ethnicity principle recognises that differences are required at the national level, but enables comparable reporting at UK level: Northern Ireland White 1. White 2. Irish Traveller Wales White 1. Welsh/English/Scottish/Northern Irish/British 2. Irish 3. Gypsy or Irish Traveller 4. Any other White background, please describe UK Output White Irish Traveller Back Main Index

Benefits of Harmonisation The use of harmonised principles can provide a range of benefits including: • cost savings and efficiencies by avoiding duplication and providing more outputs from less investment • comparability and coherence within time series and between separate datasets • help to support a wider reuse of survey structural information • help reduce respondent burden • increase options for data sharing and linkage of official statistics datasets • Improve data quality Next Page Main Index

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Benefits of Harmonisation also helps to comply with the specific requirements of the: UK Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 and the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. Link to complete versions: UK Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 Code of Practice for Official Statistics Back Main Index

Benefits of Harmonisation also helps to comply with specific requirements of the: UK Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007, Section 13 Back Main Index

Benefits of Harmonisation. . and the Code of Practice for Official Statistics Helping towards compliance with the requirements of the three pillars of the Code of Practice for Statistics; Back Main Index

GSS Harmonised Principles The GSS Harmonised Principles are formally approved documents containing sets of questions, concepts and outputs and provide a harmonised means of collecting information about a given topic. GSS Harmonised Principles are agreed by the National Statistics Harmonisation Group (NSHG) or the Business Harmonisation Task and Finish Group (BHTFG) and are approved by the National Statistics Harmonisation Steering Group (NSH SG). GSS Harmonised Principles currently cover survey-related topics such as Demographic Information (age/sex/etc. ); Ethnicity; General Health, Benefits and Tax Credits, Turnover, Number of Employees, etc. A full list of GSS Harmonised Principles for both social and business topics are available on the next pages. Next Page – Social Topics Next Page – Business Topics Main Index

GSS Social Harmonised Principles Title Description Accommodation and Household Information GSS Harmonised Principle for questions on type of accommodation a household occupies, length of time they have been resident there, and availability of motor vehicles to the household. Activity Restriction GSS Harmonised Principle on physical conditions and illnesses Benefits and tax credits GSS Harmonised Principle for questions on benefits and tax credits received by respondents. Consumer durables This harmonised principle has been temporarily removed, pending review Carers GSS Harmonised Principle for questions about carers Crime and fear of crime GSS Harmonised Principle for questions on crime, fear of crime and problems in the area, as perceived by respondents. Demographic information, household composition and relationships GSS Harmonised Principle for basic descriptive information about respondents, including age, sex and marital status. Also standard ways of categorising and describing households and families by their members and relationships. Economic Activity Status, NS-SEC and Employment-related Questions GSS Harmonised Principle for questions used to classify respondents according to their industry, occupation and employment status. These are used to produce standard economic status and socio-economic classifications. Education Attainment and Qualifications GSS Harmonised Principle for questions relating to qualifications held by respondents. Ethnicity GSS Harmonised Principle for questions for collecting information on how people describe their ethnic identity. General Health GSS Harmonised Principle for questions on general health. Also includes questions on basic caring for other people. Geography GSS Harmonised Principle containing links to GSS geography policy, Open Geography Portal and linked data. Housing costs and benefits GSS Harmonised Principle for questions on housing costs (rent and mortgages) and housing benefits. Income This harmonised principle has been temporarily removed, pending review Next Page Back Main Index

GSS Social Harmonised Principles (cont. ) Title Description Impairment GSS Harmonised Principle for Impairments associated with any long-lasting physical or mental health conditions or illnesses reported above Long-lasting Health Conditions and Illnesses GSS Harmonised Principle for questions on long-term health conditions and illnesses for respondents. Also includes questions on impairments and disabilities. Migration, Country of Birth and Citizenship GSS Harmonised Principle for information on Migration, Country of Birth and Citizenship National Identity GSS Harmonised Principle for questions on national identity and religion. Personal Well-being GSS Harmonised Principle for questions and guidance for users wishing to add personal well-being questions to surveys. Religion GSS Harmonised Principle for question relating to religion Selected job details GSS Harmonised Principle for questions on length of time since respondent last worked and the number of hours (paid and unpaid) worked. Back Next Page Main Index

GSS Social and Business Harmonised Principles Title Description Sexual Orientation GSS Harmonised Principle for questions and guidance for both users of sexual orientation statistics and those organisations collecting data on sexual orientation. Social Capital This harmonised principle has been temporarily removed, pending review. Statistical Measures of Disability GSS Harmonised Principle for questions concerning the measurement of disability Survey Reference Period GSS Harmonised Principle for information on establishing reference periods for surveys. Tenure GSS Harmonised Principle for questions on ownership, or otherwise, of respondent’s accommodation. GSS Business Harmonised Principles Employment Variables: Hours Worked GSS Harmonised Principle for collecting data on Hours Worked and Full Time Equivalents (FTE) Employment Variables: Number of Employees and Number of Self Employed Persons GSS Harmonised Principle for collecting data on Number of Employees and Number of Self Employed Persons Total Turnover GSS Harmonised Principle for collecting data on Total Turnover for Short Term Indicators Back Main Index

Harmonisation Process Introduction For data comparability and coherence, it is essential for data providers to use Government Statistical Service (GSS) Harmonised Principles. The Harmonisation Team at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is responsible for maintaining the list of GSS Harmonised Principles. Within the Harmonisation Team there a range of both business and social Topic Owners that take ownership of Harmonised Principles and work closely with Topic Experts throughout the whole Harmonisation Process. Occasionally the need arises for a new principle; the revision of an existing principle and in these instances, there is an approved process to follow to ensure ratification and dissemination. This section outlines the stages required. To see the process model and an explanation of each stage, please go to the next page. Next Page Main Index

Harmonisation Process Model A. Establish the need 1. Identify Stakeholders 2. User requirements 3. Key Issues 4. Benefits of developing Principle 5. Draft timetable (Click on boxes for further information about each stage) B. Inform the need F. Review and maintain 1. Periodic review: no action or identify need for revision or withdrawal 2. Inform GSS SPSC & Ho. Ps G. Revise /withdraw 1. Draft proposal written 2. Consultation with stakeholders 3. Final proposal written 1. Inform NSHG/ BHTFG/NSH SG of new principle to be developed 2. Inform NSHG/ BHTFG/NSH SG of revision to existing principle 3. All principles inform GSS SPSC & Ho. Ps C. Develop 1. Benefits of developing principle reviewed 2. Consultation with stakeholders/users 3. Proposed principle drafted 4. Testing and further consultation 5. Final proposed principle produced E. Dissemination 1. Dissemination of Principle 2. Monitor use and implementation D. Agree Principle 1. Agreed by NSHG / BHTFG 2. Approved by NSH SG 3. Inform GSS SPSC & Ho. Ps Back Main Index

Harmonisation Process Model The process model consists of seven stages (A to G) and the route through these stages differs depending on whether the Harmonised Principle is being proposed, revised or considered for withdrawal Proposing a New Principle Proposing a new Harmonised Principle begins with Stage A: Establish the Need, which works through the whole process until Stage E: Dissemination. Reviewing a Harmonised Principle A review of each principle should occur annually, or as soon as a need for change is identified, whichever comes first. This ensures the information in the principle is current and reflective of users and producer’s needs. The steps which occur when a principle is under review start at Stage F: Review and Maintain. If at Stage F: Review and Maintain, the Harmonised Principle is assessed as being up to date and meeting current requirements, no change is made to the principle. The date of the ‘next review due’ must be annotated on the principle prior to publishing on the GSS website. The Topic Owner should complete Template F: Annual Review of Harmonised Principle and note the reasons why the Harmonised Principle is sufficient.

Harmonisation Process Model Revising a Harmonised Principle If at Stage F: Review and Maintain, it is determined that a revision of the Harmonised Principle is required, then Stage G: Revise/ Withdraw is initiated and the process is followed through to Stage E: Dissemination. Withdrawing a Harmonised Principle If, at Stage F: Review and Maintain, the principle is assessed as no longer being required, the process is followed through to Stage G: Revise/ Withdraw

Harmonisation Process - Stages Stage A: Establish the Need This stage requires the identification of stakeholders, user requirements, any key issues, the benefits of developing the principle and a draft timetable. The Topic Owner should lead the work conducted at this stage whilst using Topic Expert’s where necessary. The Topic Expert is used to help advise the Topic Owner and give their opinion and expertise when required. Once work in this area is complete, the Topic Owner should complete template A: Notify/inform NSHG/BHTFG/NSH SG of the need for Harmonisation. This should be completed in collaboration with the Topic Expert to ensure the information in the template is correct and up to date. The template requires information on the following: Identify Stakeholders • Identify stakeholders, producers, users and other interested parties who will be able to help with the development of the proposed Harmonised Principle. • This should include the Devolved Administrators (Northern Ireland, Scotland Wales) where applicable. User Requirements • Who has requested the principle and what is the need? • Are there any examples showing why Harmonisation is necessary? (E. g. different ethnicity categories used throughout the GSS). • When is the principle required? • Provide evidence that the principle is required. Key Issues • If implemented, what is the likelihood for change? (E. g. will users/ producers be able to use the Harmonised Principle or are they restricted by another governing body? ). • Describe any potential issues relating to implementation and how these could be mitigated. Benefits of developing the principle • For both data providers and users: o Illustrate the value added by the principle. o Describe the impact of not implementing the principle. Draft Timetable • Complete the draft timetable, including milestone dates against tasks to be undertaken. The Harmonisation Team will assess the information collected in ‘Establish the need’ and decide to progress on the work to develop a new Harmonised Principle based on the evidence. Back Main Index

Harmonisation Process - Stages Stage B: Inform the Need This stage requires informing the relevant Harmonisation Groups; National Statistics Harmonisation Group (NSHG) for social topics or Business Harmonisation Task and Finish Group (BHTFG) for business topics and then the approval from the National Statistics Harmonisation Steering Group (NSH SG) for both social and business topics, before the principle can be developed. The GSS Statistical Policy and Standards Committee (GSS SPSC) and the Statistical Heads of Profession (Ho. Ps), who help to govern GSS Harmonisation, are also informed of this. At Stage B: Inform the Need; new principles are taken to the NSHG/BHTFG/NSG SG for information and to encourage interested parties to become involved in the development of the new principle. Existing principles must be circulated to NSHG/BHTFG/NSG SG for information regarding updating the Harmonised Principle. The following processes are required for new and existing principles: New Principles During this stage the completed template A: ‘Notify/inform NSHG/BHTFG/NSH SG of the need for harmonisation’ is circulated to the NSHG/BHTFG/NSH SG for information. Existing Principles Once template G 2: ‘Inform NSHG/ BHTFG/ NSH SG of revision to existing Harmonised Principle’ (see Stage G: Revise and Withdraw) has been completed, the Harmonisation Team will assess the information collected and decide to progress the work to develop a revised Harmonised Principle or withdraw a Principle based on the evidence. The template is then sent to members via correspondence. Once members are informed of the revision, the Harmonised Principle can be developed Inform GSS SPSC and Ho. Ps • The Harmonisation Team will inform the GSS SPSC and Ho. Ps when a proposal is being considered. Back Main Index

Harmonisation Process - Stages Stage C: Develop This stage details the steps required when developing a new or revising an existing Harmonised Principle. This stage should be completed by the Topic Owner; however, they should collaborate with Topic Expert’s where necessary. Topic Experts will be expected to give advice and expertise when specialist help is required. The Topic Owner will take into consideration all of the expertise given by the Topic Expert when developing the principle. Topic/ working groups are to be formed by the Topic Owner and consist of the Topic Owner, Topic Expert’s, other Harmonisation Team members, GSS members, academics and professionals if required. During this stage, the following points need to be considered: 1. Benefit of developing Harmonised Principle 2. Proposed Principle Drafted 3. Consultation with stakeholders/ users 4. Testing 5. Final Proposal Principle Produced Once the Harmonised Principle has been discussed in the relevant topic group and all of the relevant steps have been taken, a final proposal can be completed. The final proposal is written by the Topic Owner, with help from the Topic Expert’s. The final proposal is written using template D 1: Template D 1: ‘Request for NSHG/BHTFG/NSH SG Agreement of new Harmonised Principle’ or Template D 2: Request for NSHG/BHTFG/NSH SG Agreement for revised harmonised Principle. The template requires information on the following: o The development process o Stakeholder/ user consultation o Questions/Issues raised and planned solutions o Results of testing o Feedback from stakeholders for the proposed questions, definitions and outputs. o Timetable for finalising the principle, including key milestones, risks dependencies and contingencies Next Page Back Main Index

Harmonisation Process - Stages Stage D: Agree Principle At this stage, agreement and approval of the new or revised Harmonised Principle will be sought. The Topic Owner will guide the proposal through each approval stage, requesting further information from the Topic Expert if required. Agreed by the NSHG/BHTFG • Template D 1 (for a new principle) or template D 2 (for existing principles) should be submitted via the secretariat. • This will be presented at the next NSHG/BHTFG meeting, or circulated for comments via correspondence. • The relevant Harmonisation Group will agree, reject or request additional information about the proposal. • If rejected, the reasons for this must be stated for the Topic Owner and Topic Expert to address. Approved by the NSH SG • Once agreed by the NSHG/BHTFG, the proposal would then be submitted to the NSH SG for approval, again using template D 1 for new principles or template D 2 for existing principles. • The proposal will be presented at the next NSH SG meeting, or circulated for comments via correspondence. • The NSH SG will approve the principle, request further information or reject the proposal. • If the proposal is rejected, the reasons for this must be stated. Back Main Index

Harmonisation Process - Stages Stage E: Dissemination This stage details the steps required in the dissemination and promotion of the new or revised Harmonised Principle. Template E: Dissemination should be completed at this stage for both revised and new Harmonised Principles. The template outlines different dissemination actions and the persons responsible for completing them. Template E: Dissemination is different from other templates as it is not all completed by the Topic Owner, instead by the collective work of the Topic Owner, Topic Expert’s, GSS members and the Harmonisation Team. Dissemination • The Harmonisation Team will inform the GSS SPSC and the Ho. Ps when a proposal has been formally approved. Monitor Use and implementation • Ensure that outputs which use the harmonised question(s) are aware of the new or revised principle and have plans for its implementation. Back Main Index

Harmonisation Process - Stages Stage F. Review This stage outlines how principles should be reviewed to ensure that they are still required and fit for purpose. Periodic Review Once a Harmonised Principle has been formally approved, a review of the principle should be undertaken, as a minimum once a year, on the anniversary of the principle being agreed. This review should be completed by the Topic Owner, with help from the Topic Expert. The Topic Owner, at this stage, is responsible for: • Conducting a ‘desk review’ of the principle to gauge if a revision is required and for what reason, or if the principle is no longer required. • Liaison with Topic Group (if applicable) to discuss findings and evidence that the Harmonised Principle should either be left as it is, revised or withdrawn. • If the review identifies a revision is not required, the Harmonisation Team should be informed that no further action is required other than adding the date of the ‘next review due’ to the Harmonised Principle and re-published. • If the need for a revision or withdrawal is identified, the steps at Stage G: Revise/Withdraw should be followed. During the periodic review, template F: Annual Review of Harmonised Principle should be completed by the Topic Owner, which details if a revision/ withdrawal is needed and the reasons for this. This document should then be placed in the Harmonisation drive for auditing purposes. Inform GSS SPSC and Ho. P • The Harmonisation Team are to inform the GSS SPSC and Ho. Ps if the Harmonised Principle is to be revised or withdrawn as a result of a review. Back Main Index

Harmonisation Process - Stages Stage G: Revise/Withdraw This stage provides guidance for addressing principles that have been identified as either needing revision or should be withdrawn due to it no longer being required. This will be identified in Stage F: Review and will be documented in Template F: Review of Harmonised Principle. The review should only be completed on the anniversary of when the Harmonised Principle was accepted. In the following instances, the process can continue round to Stage B: Agree the Need without Template F being completed: 1. The Harmonised Principle needs updating before the annual review is due 2. The Harmonised Principle is out-of-date and has not, due to unforeseen circumstances, been updated for some time An annual review should be completed on the anniversary of when the Harmonised Principle was approved or when the Harmonised Principle was approved for revision. When completing the annual review, the following steps should be completed: Draft Proposal Written • If the principle is to be revised, the following should be written: o What were the findings from the review? o What needs to be changed? o What are the benefits the revision will bring? o Propose a timetable • This document will form the basis of the consultation with stakeholders. The Harmonisation Team will assess the information collected in ‘Revise/withdraw’ and decide to progress on the work to develop a revised Harmonised Principle or withdrawn a Harmonised Principle due to it no longer being required, based on the evidence collected during this stage. Consultation with Stakeholders • The Topic Owner and Topic Expert should ensure all stakeholders are consulted and views are considered. The consultation should cover the following: o What are the required changes? o Reason for the changes? o Benefits of making the change? o Overview of any testing required. Next Page Back Main Index

Harmonisation Process - Stages Stage G: Revise/Withdraw (continued) Final Proposal Written • After completing a consultation with stakeholders, the Topic Owner, alongside the Topic Expert will complete template G 1: Request for NSHG/ BHTFG/ NSH SG to Agree the Need for the revision of existing Harmonised Principle. Withdrawal of Harmonised Principle • If, during stage F: Review, it was discovered that a Harmonised Principle is no longer required, the Topic Owner should complete template G 1: Request to withdraw Harmonised Principle. • Once the template has been completed, it needs to be taken to the relevant bodies for agreement/ approval: o Template G 1 should first be presented at the NSHG/BHTFG and the reasons why the Harmonised Principle is no longer required should be explained. The NSHG/BHTFG will then either agree the principle should be removed or ask for additional information. o Once agreed by the NSHG/BHTFG, the template should then be taken to the NSH SG for approval. The NSH SG will approve the removal of a principle, ask for additional information or reject the proposal. If the proposal is rejected, an explanation must be given. o If the Harmonised Principle is approved for removal, GSS SPSC and Ho. Ps will be informed Back Main Index

NSHG Roles and Responsibilities The National Statistics Harmonisation Group (NSHG) is a cross government group comprising mainly (but not exclusively) government departments that produce statistics. The NSHG meets every four months to discuss harmonised principles and issues relating to harmonisation across the GSS. NSHG Topic Groups have been formed to take forward proposed harmonisation work, with each topic group being responsible for a number of topic-related Harmonised Principles. The membership of these groups will include expert members from relevant government departments across the GSS including the devolved administrations. The groups are led by a Topic Lead, who is responsible for guiding the work through the recognised Harmonisation Process and managing the flow of the work. The Roles and Responsibilities of NSHG members, Topic Experts and the Harmonisation Team are outlined over the next few pages. A complete list of the current Topic Groups and Leads and the Harmonised Principles for which they are responsible for are also listed. Next Page Main Index

Roles and Responsibilities The roles and responsibilities for NSHG members, Topic Experts, the Harmonisation Team and the current list of NSHG Topic Groups and Leads, can be found by clicking on the titles below: • • NSHG Members NSHG Topic Leads List of Topic Groups and Leads Harmonisation Team Back Main Index

NSHG Members - Roles and Responsibilities Members include government departmental and other organisation representatives, harmonisation champions and Topic Experts. Your general responsibilities as a member of the (NSHG) are to: • attend and contribute to the four monthly NSHG meetings and the Annual NSHG Workshop • promote Harmonisation and act as a Harmonisation Champion within your department and business areas • respond to papers and documents circulated for comment, taking into account the responses from your department/business area (as a Harmonisation Champion) • respond to proposed new and revised Harmonised Principles, taking into account the views of your department/business area • provide feedback from your department when necessary regarding Harmonisation • provide input to the Harmonisation Strategy and Implementation plan • promote ‘Harmonisation by default’ (Harmonised Principles should be used in the first instance unless sufficient reason to do otherwise is provided) • promote the various harmonisation tools to your department/business area • raise ‘horizon scanning’ or other issues that may affect the work of Harmonisation • identify upcoming conferences/high level meetings that may be targeted for promotion of harmonisation • before leaving the NSHG, it is your responsibility to find a replacement member from your department/business area Back Main Index

NSHG Topic Leads - Roles and Responsibilities National Statistics Harmonisation Group (NSHG) Topic Groups are formed to take forward proposed harmonisation work. Each topic group may be responsible for a number of Harmonised Principles. The membership of these groups will include expert members from relevant government departments and devolved administrations, across the GSS. Each group has a Topic Lead whose general responsibilities will include: • Managing the development of proposed Harmonised Principles and maintaining the current Harmonised Principles via regular review and ‘horizon scanning’ to ensure content remains relevant and current. • Providing updates for the GSS NSHG meetings on the progress of work, including which surveys the harmonised questions are used on and all topic group members. • Acting as subject matter expert by providing responses to topic related queries received by the Harmonisation Team. • Helping promote the benefits of using Harmonised Principles and encouraging user/producer buy-in to harmonisation. Back Main Index

Topic Group Contact Details Benefits & Tax Credits Business Consumer Durables Crime & Anti-social Behaviour Demographic Information Claire Cameron (DWP) Claire. cameron@dwp. gsi. gov. u k 020 7449 7332 TBC Fiona Aitchison (ONS) fiona. aitchison@ons. gov. uk 01329 444694 Paula Guy (ONS) paula. guy@ons. gov. uk 01329 444547 Economic Activity Status Educational Attainment Debbie Curtis Debbie. curtis@ons. gov. uk 01633 455263 Julian Austin / Tony Clarke (Do. E) Julian. AUSTIN @education. gov. uk Anthony. CLARKE @education. gov. uk 0114 207 5104 Ethnicity, Identity, Language & Religion Amanda Sharfman (ONS) Amanda. sharfman@ons. gov. uk 01329 444645 Gender Identity Health, Disability & Carers Melissa Randall (ONS) melissa. Randall@ons. gov. uk 01329 447921 Steven Webster (NSH Digital) steven. webster 1@hscic. gov. uk 0113 866 5603 Homelessness Housing & Tenure Income Internet Access Loneliness Tom Tredwell Tom. tredwell@communities. gs i. gov. uk Chauncey Glass Chauncey. glass@communities. gsi. gov. uk Matthew Minifie (ONS) matthew. minifie@ons. gov. uk 01633 455658 Daisie Hutchinson (ONS) daisie. Hutchinson@ons. gov. uk 01329 444593 Dani Evans (ONS) Dani Evans@ons. gov. uk 01633 456571 Migration, Country of Birth & Citizenship Hannah Mc. Connell (ONS) Hannah. mcconnell@ons. gov. uk 01329 444636 Personal Well-being Social Capital Silvia Manclossi (ONS) Silvia. manclossi@ons. gov. uk 01633 455833 Dani Evans (ONS) Dani Evans@ons. gov. uk 01633 456571 Back Harmonised Principles Main Index

Harmonised Principles by Topic Group Benefits & Tax Credits Business Consumer Durables Crime & Anti-social Behaviour Benefits & Tax Credits Hours Worked and FTE Number of Employees Total Turnover Removed Pending Review Crime & Fear of Crime Demographic Information Economic Activity Educational Attainment Demographic Information Sexual Orientation Economic Activity Status Selected Job Details Education Attainment and Qualifications Ethnicity, Identity, Language & Religion Gender Identity Health, Disability & Carers Housing & Tenure Income Under development Activity Restriction Carers General Health Impairment Long-lasting Health Conditions & Illness Statistical Measures of Disability Accommodation & Household Information Housing Costs & Benefits Tenure Removed pending review Internet Access Loneliness Under development Migration, Country of Birth & Citizenship Migration, Country of Birth and Citizenship Social Capital Miscellaneous Removed pending review Geography Survey Reference Period Back Ethnicity National Identity Religion Personal Well-being Main Index

Harmonisation Team Roles and Responsibilities The Harmonisation Team is based at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and is responsible for the management and promotion of Harmonised Principles across the GSS. The Harmonisation Team coordinates the cross government programme of work looking into harmonising inputs and outputs for use in National Statistics and is the Secretariat for the National Statistics Harmonisation Group (NSHG) and the National Statistics Harmonisation Steering Group (NSH SG). Its main responsibilities are to: • • • • produce the Harmonisation Strategy and Implementation Plan create, implement and monitor the Communication Plan monitor the workplan against the NSHG Terms of Reference (To. R) and report to the NSHG disseminate Harmonised Principles once approved create ‘Harmonisation Tools’ to promote harmonisation conduct presentations across the GSS to raise awareness of Harmonisation act as secretariat for the National Statistics Harmonisation Steering Group (NSH SG) produce reports for the National Statistics Harmonisation Steering Group (NSH SG) organise, attend and contribute to the NSHG meetings and the Annual NSHG Workshop maintain NSHG membership list and identify gaps in stakeholders produce harmonisation case studies to promote harmonisation co-ordinate queries via the harmonisation inbox and the harmonisation helpline provide NSHG Topic Leads with guidance and support for their role liaise with the UK Data Service and the Variable and Question Bank Team maintain the Harmonisation and NSHG web pages on the GSS website maintain the Harmonisation Community on Stats. User. Net and Slack Back Main Index

Harmonisation Governance Government Statistical Service, Statistical Policy and Standards Committee (GSS SPSC) Heads of Profession (Ho. Ps) National Statistics Harmonisation Steering Group (NSH SG) National Statistics Harmonisation Group (NSHG) ONS Harmonisation Team Main Index

Harmonisation Governance ONS Harmonisation Team The Harmonisation Team is the secretariat for the National Statistics Harmonisation Group (NSHG), providing all administrative support as well as guidance around the harmonisation process to members. The Team is also working on 3 projects; facilitating revision to existing harmonised social principles, facilitating development of new harmonised principles for business statistics and for administrative data (in the longer term). The Team has identified several business and administrative data initiatives occurring across the Government Statistical Service (GSS) that harmonisation can facilitate and is working with colleagues to develop harmonised principles as part of the delivery of these programmes. More information on the latest developments can be found on the GSS Harmonisation pages on the GSS website. If you have any further questions or suggestions, please email: harmonisation@statistics. gov. uk. Back Main Index

Harmonisation Resources (Links opens the page in a web browser) • Harmonisation Web pages The Harmonisation pages are located on the GSS website and contain links to the Harmonisation principles and other information on harmonisation. • Variable and Question Bank An online resource where users can research survey variables and questions. • Stats. User. Net A site hosted by the RSS designed to stimulate engagement between users and producers of official statistics, where information and views can be shared. • GSS Blogs Access to the GSS Blogs, where GSS members can register and engage with other members. Includes the Good Practice Blog, GSS Data Blog and the GSS Harmonisation Blog. • Harmonisation Diagrams and Posters Diagrams and posters that can be used to promote harmonisation. Main Index

Harmonisation Diagrams & Posters 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. A. Establish the need Identify Stakeholders User requirements Key Issues Benefits of developing Principle Draft timetable 1. B. Agree the need New principles agreed by NSHG/ BHFTG New principles approved by NSH SG Revised principles inform NSHG/BHFTG and NSH SG All principles inform GSS SPSC & Ho. Ps 2. 3. 1. F. Review and maintain 2. 1. 2. Periodic review – no action or identify need for revision or withdrawal Inform GSS SPSC & Ho. Ps 1. 2. 3. G. Revise /withdraw 4. Draft proposal written Consultation with stakeholders Final proposal written 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. E. Dissemination of Principle Monitor use and implementation C. Develop Benefits of developing principle reviewed Consultation with stakeholders/users Proposed Principle drafted Testing and further consultation Final proposed principle produced D. Agree Principle 1. Agreed by NSHG / BHTFG 2. Approved by NSH SG 3. Inform GSS SPSC & Ho. Ps Back Main Index

Harmonisation Process Model Back Main Index

Harmonised Principles may take many forms, and still be comparable Tel https: //gss. civilservice. gov. uk/guidances/ harmonisation/ email: harmonisation@statistics. gov. uk Back Main Index

Harmonised not standardised https: //gss. civilservice. gov. uk/guidances/h armonisation/ or email: harmonisation@statistics. gov. uk Back Main Index

Harmonisation https: //gss. civilservice. gov. uk/guidances/harmonisation/ or email: harmonisation@statistics. gov. uk Back Main Index

Harmonisation https: //gss. civilservice. gov. uk/guidances/ harmonisation/ or email: harmonisation@statistics. gov. uk Back Main Index

Harmonisation Tel https: //gss. civilservice. gov. uk/guidances/harmonisation/ or email: harmonisation@statistics. gov. uk Back Main Index

Harmonisation Tel https: //gss. civilservice. gov. uk/guidances/harmonisation/ or email: harmonisation@statistics. gov. uk Back Main Index

LIFE’S A BEACH… Tel …WHEN YOU HARMONISE https: //gss. civilservice. gov. uk/guidances/harmonisation/ or email: harmonisation@statistics. gov. uk Back Main Index

Harmonisation Tel https: //gss. civilservice. gov. uk/guidances/h armonisation/ or email: harmonisation@statistics. gov. uk Back Main Index

Harmonisation Case Studies The Harmonisation Team have developed some case studies to support the use of harmonisation: 1. Meeting the European Systems of Accounting (ESA) 2010 Regulation - Purchases of computer software 2. Citizenship - Producing a single UK output Main Index

Case Study: Many businesses received the Annual Business Survey, Survey into Business Spending on Capital Items and Capital Expenditure Survey. The majority of companies were sampled for all 3 surveys and were asked to complete questions on acquisitions and disposals of capital assets. Different questions on computer software were asked on the 3 surveys causing confusion and despair for contributors. CONFUSED. COM because I am Survey into Business Spending on Capital Items (BSCIS) Annual Business Survey (ABS) Capital Expenditure Survey (CAPEX) Example of one of the old questions Computer Software - developed by your own staff to be used for more than one year Computer Software - value of computer software Computer Software - computer software and hardware All three surveys were reviewed during 2014 to meet the UK legal requirements for the European System of Accounts 2010 (ESA 10) and harmonised the questions for the Capital Expenditure Survey It’s a 10 from Craig ESA 10 Congruency between surveys is now easier Requirements captured NEW Question for all three surveys Computer Software programs - purchased or developed externally (bespoke) Back Main Index

Citizenship – Producing a single UK Output Case Study: It is a legal requirement to supply UK-level Citizenship Census data To Eurostat, as it is key dimension when considering stock and flow of migrants. However, the countries of the UK do not collect consistent information to determine citizenship. England primarily used passport held, and country of birth if necessary. Scotland primarily used country of birth, supported by national identify, year of UK arrival, and relationships data. Wales use passport held, and country of birth if necessary. Northern Ireland use passport held, with stated National Identity used to distinguish UK and Irish citizenship for those holding both passports. Considerations: Can be a UK citizen, but still have English, Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish nationality. Therefore cannot interchange citizenship and nationality. England Wales Census research shows National Identity is a poor citizenship proxy for non UK-born population alone. Solutions: ONS research Identified, via the Opinions Survey, that the concept of ‘citizenship’ is misunderstood, and that passport information is more likely to be accurate. National Records Scotland created an algorithm to predict citizenship using Country of Birth, National Identity, Year of UK arrival and relationship data, which was then compared to England Wales rehearsal data. Comparison found the algorithm a good proxy for citizenship so it was adopted. Outcome: Although not collected, the UK was able to supply a measure of citizenship to Eurostat using proxy variables that were demonstrated to be valid, reliable, and accurate, despite using different source information. Back Main Index

Harmonisation Team Contact Details Steve Ellerd-Elliott Chair of NSHG Charlie Wroth-Smith Head of Harmonisation Team 01329 444672 Becki Aquilina Social Harmonisation 01329 444055 Vacancy Business Research Daisie Hutchinson Social Research 01329 444593 Alison Brookman Business Research 01633 726222 Joe Ellison Social Harmonisation 01329 444519 Email: harmonisation@statistics. gov. uk Main Index

NSHG Meetings and Workshops The next NSHG meeting will take place on: Monday 3 July 2018 at 1 Drummond Gate, London, SW 1 V 2 QQ from 11: 00 - 13: 30 pm The next Annual NSHG Workshop will take place on: Date to be arranged at 1 Drummond Gate, London, SW 1 V 2 QQ from 14: 00 - 17: 00 pm Meeting agendas, papers and minutes are available on the GSS Website. Main Index