UK Statistics Authority
1 Drummond Gate
London
SW1V 1QQ
Tel: 020 7592 8663
E-mail: national.statistician@statistics.gov.uk
www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/nationalstatistician
Jonathan Athow | Deputy National Statistician, Economic Statistics
Office for National Statistics
1 Drummond Gate
London
SW1V 2QQ
jonathan.athow@ons.gsi.gov.uk
Clive Betts MP
House of Commons
London
SW1 0AA
15th July 2015
Dear Clive Betts,
Ref: CJCB/JT/BETT01002/01150496
As Deputy National Statistician and Director General of Economic Statistics at the UK Statistics
Authority, I am replying to your correspondence of the 24th June.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has not been consulted about the statistical impacts of a
possible extension of the right to buy to cover tenants of housing association properties (including
any possible impacts for the status of housing association debt). The ONS is required to maintain its
independence in compiling official statistics. It does not therefore involve itself in the development of
government policy or comment on what a policy in development would mean for economic statistics.
Providing a 'running commentary' would risk compromising our ability to objectively establish the
correct statistical impacts of such a policy if it were to be enacted.
However, the ONS does have a published process whereby government may submit fully-formed
policy proposals to ask how they would be recorded in official statistics if implemented as described.
We have not, as yet, received such a policy proposal on the extension of the right to buy for
assessment. At such a time that HM Government submits a policy proposal, or the policy has been
enacted, we will certainly consider implications for the economic ownership of housing associations'
housing assets, associated liabilities, and indeed for housing associations themselves.
Yours sincerely
Jonathan Athow