Why analysts should care about devolution and UK wide data

Why understanding devolution + UK‑wide data matters for analysts, affects comparability, insight + decision making across government

Why analysts should care about devolution and UK wide data

Following referendums in Scotland and Wales and the Good Friday Agreement, three devolution Acts were passed in 1998, which established the devolved legislatures – the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly.

The principles underpinning the relations between United Kingdom (UK) Government and these 'devolved governments' in respect of the production of official statistics are set out in a Concordat on Statistics, which was updated and signed in October 2021.

Whilst the Concordat covers Devolution and the GSS, devolution also impacts on wider analysis. During this session we will explore what devolution means for analysis, how we can best work engage with and work across devolved boundaries, and better communicate comparability in our statistics.

In this session, analysts from the devolved governments come together to explore why analysts should care about devolution and UK‑wide data. The discussion will examine how different policy responsibilities, data systems and legislative contexts across the UK affect data comparability, coherence and interpretation.

You’ll hear practical reflections on common challenges analysts face when working with UK‑wide data, the risks of misinterpretation, and how stronger collaboration across administrations can improve insight, transparency and decision making.

Who should attend?

This session is ideal for:

• Analysts working with UK‑wide or cross‑jurisdictional data
• Colleagues comparing data across nations or regions
• Policy professionals using evidence from multiple administrations
• Anyone wanting to better understand the impact of devolution on analysis

What you could learn in this session

• How devolution affects data collection and comparability
• Common pitfalls when using UK‑wide data
• How to interpret differences across devolved contexts
• How collaboration improves coherence and insight
• How to apply a more informed UK‑wide analytical perspective

Secure your space today!

About AiG Month (1-31 May 2026)

• Analysis in Government Month (AiG Month) is the UK's largest learning and development event for government analysts
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