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Statistically Speaking is the Office for National Statistics' podcast, offering in-depth interviews on the latest hot topics in the world of data, taking a peek behind the scenes of the UK’s largest independent producer of official statistics and exploring the stories behind the numbers.
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The Covid-19 pandemic is a distant memory for many people, and it is not given much news coverage. Yet there is a growing number of people who have reported that symptoms never left them after contracting the virus; many of them have had these symptoms for years. The Office of National Statistics estimates that over 2 million Britons have Long COVID-19. You may have it or know somebody who is struggling with it. The number worldwide is unknown. My name is Paul, and long Covid has debilitated ...
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In this episode, I talk about my experiences with various medical professionals and their reactions to my illness. I recorded this whilst having a tired and emotional day. I thought about re-recording it, but in the end, I believe it is important that you hear me on the not-so-good days as well. Let me know your experiences, email: lifewithlongcovi…
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My plan was to do a short walk and record how I was feeling. In reality, it turned into a 'wheel' and talk with my wife, Rachel! Join us on a Sunday afternoon wheel/walk as we discuss my use of a wheelchair, people's perceptions of my illness and how Rachel has had to change her life. Send us a Text Message.…
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Living with Long COVID means constantly feeling tired, but it is likely that other people won't understand. In this episode, I delve deeper into fatigue and some of the coping strategies I have developed along the way. It would be great to hear from you if you have any tips or comments, email me: lifewithlongcovid@icloud.com For more information ab…
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Long Covid is hard to understand at the best of times, so no wonder people do not know how to respond to our illness. In this episode, I talk about how I deal (or find it hard to deal) with comments on our disability. Guest starring Maisie the Pomeranian, who barks at the wind in the background! Send us a Text Message.…
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In this episode, Paul introduces himself and the series. Send us a Text Message.By Paul Ian Clarke
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With the public release of large language models like Chat GPT putting Artificial Intelligence (AI) firmly on our radar, this episode explores what benefits this technology might hold for statistics and analysis, as well as policymaking and public services. Joining host, Miles Fletcher, to discuss the groundbreaking work being done in this area by …
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Communicating Uncertainty: How to better understand an estimate.
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The ONS podcast returns, this time looking at the importance of communicating uncertainty in statistics. Joining host Miles Fletcher to discuss is Sir Robert Chote, Chair of the UKSA; Dr Craig McLaren, of the ONS; and Professor Mairi Spowage, director of the Fraser of Allander Institute. Transcript MILES FLETCHER Welcome back to Statistically Speak…
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In this episode Miles is joined by the National Statistician, Sir Ian Diamond, to reflect on what has been a busy and transformative year at the Office for National Statistics. Transcript MILES FLETCHER This is “Statistically Speaking”, the official podcast of the UK Office for National Statistics, I’m Miles Fletcher. This is our 20th episode, in f…
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Health: Preparing for the next global pandemic
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The ONS led the way informing the UK response to the Coronavirus pandemic. But what lessons can be learned and how can we best prepare not only ourselves, but the rest of the world, for the next pandemic? Transcript MILES FLETCHER This is Statistically Speaking, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Podcast. I'm Miles Fletcher, and as we approac…
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Communicating Statistics: Crossing the minefields of misinformation.
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In this episode we talk about the growth of data use in the media and the potential impact of misinformation on the public’s trust in official statistics. Navigating podcast host Miles Fletcher through this minefield is Prof Sir David Spiegelhalter, from the University of Cambridge; Ed Humpherson, Head of the Office for Statistics Regulation; and a…
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International Development: Growing a Global Statistical System
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In this episode, we explore ONS’s work with other countries to raise the world's statistical capabilities. Transcript MILES FLETCHER Hello and welcome again to ‘Statistically Speaking’, the Office for National Statistics’ Podcast. I'm Miles Fletcher, and in this episode we're going international. Now it hardly needs saying that global issues, clima…
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In this episode we chat to members of the ONS Social Survey Collection Division about the importance, and challenges, of getting the general public to take part in crucial surveys that help paint a picture of what life is like across Britain. Transcript MILES FLETCHER Welcome again to ‘Statistically Speaking’, the official podcast of the UK’s Offic…
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New Data: Transforming how we count the population
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In this episode we discuss how the ONS has been working to transform the way we count the population, using new datasets to give more accurate, timely, and detailed measurements. On 29 June 2023, the ONS will be launching a public consultation on its proposals for a transformed population and migration statistics system. Understanding user needs wi…
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Local data: How new data sources are helping to calibrate communities
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In this episode of Statistically Speaking we shine the spotlight on local data and look at how good statistics for small areas make for better targeted policy interventions, and more effective use of valuable public resources. Transcript MILES FLETCHER Welcome again to Statistically Speaking, the Office for National Statistics podcast. I'm Miles Fl…
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Disability: When the numbers alone are simply not enough.
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In this episode, we focus on a powerful example of when the numbers alone are simply not enough. The most recent Census has told us how many people have some form of disability but to really understand the nature of those disabilities and the needs of people reporting them we need to do a lot more work. Guiding us through this work, is Helen Colvin…
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The R Word: Decoding ‘recession’ and looking beyond GDP.
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With news headlines proclaiming the UK has ‘narrowly avoided a recession’, we decode the ‘r’ word and explain why this sometimes misleading term is one the ONS is often cautious to avoid. We get the lowdown on GDP (Gross Domestic Product); discuss whether its time as the yardstick for measuring the success or failure of the world’s economies is com…
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Integrating Data: Boosting the capabilities of researchers to inform policymaking.
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Miles explores how data linking can help tackle cross-cutting issues in an increasingly uncertain world, and how the ONS’ new Integrated Data Service will provide a step-change transformation in how researchers will be able to access public data. Joining him are ONS colleagues Bill South, Deputy Director of Research Services and Data Access; Jason …
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National Statistician, Sir Ian Diamond, joins Miles in a slightly festive episode of Statistically Speaking, to look back on some of the highlights and challenges for the ONS in 2022 while gazing positively, but objectively, towards 2023. TRANSCRIPT MILES FLETCHER Hello, and as another statistical year draws to an end you join us for a slightly fes…
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Health: The role of public data in taking the pulse of a nation.
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Miles is joined by colleagues from the Health and Life Events team to explore how data is good for our health. Within the diagnosis: the Health Index, dubbed “the GDP of health”; the impacts of Covid-19 as well as an ageing society; and the increasing importance of linking data from numerous sources to generate complex insights that inform decision…
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Crime: Understanding its impact on society through data.
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In this episode of Statistically Speaking Miles is helped with his enquiries by Meghan Elkin and Billy Gazard from the Office for National Statistics, as he investigates how we use data to get valuable insights into the impact of crime on modern society. Along the way he debunks common misconceptions; learns how the nature of crime continues to evo…
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Trust in Data: The importance of ethics and privacy in producing statistics for the public good
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In this episode Miles is joined by Professor Luciano Floridi of Oxford University; Simon Whitworth of the UK Statistics Authority; and Pete Stokes from the ONS to talk about data ethics and public trust in official statistics. TRANSCRIPT MILES FLETCHER Hello, I'm Miles Fletcher, and in this episode of Statistically Speaking we're exploring data eth…
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Labour & Wages: The tracking of employment and pay across the UK
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David Freeman and Nicola White join Miles to discuss how the Office for National Statistics (ONS) tracks employment and pay across the UK. Transcript: Hello and welcome again to Statistically Speaking, the Office for National Statistics podcast. In this episode, we enter the world of work and clock on for a shift with the ONS labour market team. We…
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A Matter of Life & Death: The impact of declining fertility rates; the re-birth of a dataset buried for 50 years; and why you should call your baby Nigel.
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In this episode Miles is joined by Dr James Tucker and Sarah Caul MBE to talk about how and why the Office for National Statistics count births and deaths, and what current fertility trends might mean for the future population. They look at the impact of popular culture on the most common baby names in England and Wales, and discuss the new signifi…
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Evolution of the Economy: The science of measuring rapid change in a complex, globalised and increasingly turbulent economic situation.
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Our topic this time, and it's a big one, is the economy. The science of measuring rapid change in a complex, globalised and now increasingly turbulent economic situation. In this episode Miles is joined by second permanent secretary Sam Beckett, and head of inflation, Mike Hardie, to look at how the ONS is keeping on top of rising prices, and how t…
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The changing data landscape: How the data revolution and the fight against COVID are changing UK stats forever
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In the third episode of Statistically Speaking we talk to Professor Sir Ian Diamond, the UK’s National Statistician, and Dr Louisa Nolan, Chief Data Scientist at the ONS Data Science Campus about the past, present and future of stats. We explore how the pandemic has been transformative for the use and understanding of public data and how the data r…
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Counting a nation: the story of the UK’s once-a-decade census
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Since 1801 the UK has undertaken the mammoth task of counting its entire population, transforming over the years to uncover a wealth of information about the people of our country. With all the data collected for Census 2021 our most comprehensive quality assurance programme ever is currently under way, drawing on the unique insight and expertise o…
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A survey like no other: Tracking the spread of COVID-19 in the general population
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Since April 2020, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey has provided vital weekly snapshots of the level of SARS-CoV-2 virus circulating within the community. We’re joined by three central figures in the project, Ruth Studley, Tina Thomas and Professor Sarah Walker, for the inside story on one of ONS’s most ambitious surveys, set up in a matt…
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Statistically Speaking is the Office for National Statistics' regular monthly podcast, offering in-depth interviews on the latest hot topics in the world of data, taking a peek behind the scenes of the UK’s largest independent producer of official statistics and exploring the stories behind the numbers.…
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