What's happened
The Office for National Statistics has downgraded the 2021 census data on transgender individuals in England and Wales from 'accredited official statistics' to 'official statistics in development' due to concerns over accuracy. This marks a significant first in census history, raising questions about data collection methods.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the BBC, the ONS acknowledged that some respondents may have misunderstood the census question regarding gender identity due to language barriers, stating, "there was potential bias in how the question was answered by those who responded that they had lower levels of English proficiency." The Guardian highlighted that this is the first time census data has been downgraded since the Office for Statistics Regulation was established, emphasizing the significance of accurate data for resource allocation. Meanwhile, the New Statesman pointed out that the ONS had previously defended the data's credibility, making this reclassification a notable shift in their stance.
How we got here
The 2021 census introduced new voluntary questions on gender identity and sexuality. However, the accuracy of the data has been questioned, particularly regarding the transgender population, leading to a review by the Office for Statistics Regulation.
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