Former BOE dep gov Charlie Bean testifying to the parliamentary Treasury Select Committee

Bloomberg reporting

"I wouldn't say we're best in class and we're certainly short of the US"

  • UK use of single-deflation technology "can be misleading"
  • some other countries make better use of admin data, allowing for more timely and accurate info

"All statistical authorities are probably behind the curve because the nature of economies has been changing very markedly with digital evolution"

Bean has been, as it were, asked by the govt to review economic statistics. The final report will be published around the time of this year's Budget on March 16

While he's at it perhaps he could make a few enquiries about how a lot of the data finds itself wandering out of Whitehall in to the City prior to release.

Former BOE dep gov Bean examining UK data releases