Just 37% of people believe that national statistics are accurate, while fewer still believe that official economic data is free from political interference, according to research.

A joint study by the Statistics Commission and the Office for National Statistics, published on September 23, shows continuing public scepticism about how data on public services and on the wider economy are constructed and presented.

While 37% of respondents believe data is largely accurate, 31% do not, and 32% do not have an opinion.

Just 17% of people believe that official figures are 'produced without political interference', while only 14% feel the government uses figures 'honestly'.

Despite the low levels of public confidence, responses to the SC/ONS annual report were very similar to last year's. …