HM Treasury has announced significant revisions to its timetable for releasing official statistics, alongside an update to the governance framework for these crucial economic datasets. The changes reflect a broader shift in how official statistics are accredited and presented, now falling under the stringent standards set by the UK Statistics Authority's Code of Practice for accredited official statistics.
A key development is the introduction of a new 'accredited official statistics' badge by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) on 7th June 2024. This new badge replaces the previous 'National Statistics' designation, signifying that the data has undergone independent review by the OSR and meets the rigorous standards outlined in the Code of Practice. This move aims to enhance public trust and confidence in the integrity and reliability of government economic data.
Among the specific publication schedule changes, several updates pertain to Public Spending Statistics (PSS). For instance, the Public Spending Statistics for 2025/26 are now provisionally updated to 13th July 2026. Furthermore, the provisional timetable for Accredited Official and Official Statistics publications has been extended to February 2027. Dates for the 2024/25 PSS – February and May updates, as well as the 2023/24 PSS – May update, have also been confirmed or adjusted.
Of particular note for homeowners and the property market, the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme quarterly statistics are set to be discontinued after February 2026. This cessation is a direct consequence of the 2021 variant of the scheme closing to new applications on 20th June 2025. Consequently, there will be no further publications beyond the specified date. This indicates a winding down of official reporting on this particular housing support mechanism.
Other significant adjustments include updated publication dates for the COVID-19 Cost Tracker, with the 2026 update added to the provisional timetable. The Country and Regional Analysis 2024/25 and the Annual OSCAR Transparency Release have also seen their publication dates brought forward to 19th November 2025. These adjustments underscore HM Treasury's commitment to maintaining transparency and accuracy in its economic reporting, in line with evolving regulatory standards.
For UK businesses, particularly those involved in public sector procurement or reliant on government spending trends, these updated schedules for Public Spending Statistics will be vital for planning and forecasting. Similarly, the discontinuation of the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme statistics will impact financial institutions and property developers who have been tracking its performance and usage. The overall emphasis on enhanced statistical accreditation aims to provide a more robust foundation for economic analysis and policy formulation.
Source: HM Treasury