Britain’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) has once again found itself under an unforgiving spotlight after announcing a two-week delay in the release of its July 2025 retail sales data. Originally scheduled for publication on Friday, August 22, the figures will now be released on September 5, 2025, as the ONS says it needs “further quality assurance” before making the numbers public. It’s a move that’s stirred up a storm of criticism, with economists, policymakers, and financial markets all watching closely—and not without a certain degree of exasperation.
The ONS, the government’s official statistics body, is responsible for collecting and publishing a wide array of economic data, from inflation and employment figures to trade balances and retail sales. These numbers are not just academic—they’re the backbone of decisions made by the Bank of England, the Treasury, and countless businesses across the UK. Retail sales figures, in particular, are a closely watched barometer of consumer spending, a key driver of the country’s economic health. When people spend more, businesses thrive, and the economy tends to grow—a simple but powerful equation.
But in recent months, the ONS’s reputation has taken a battering. This latest delay is just the most recent in a series of setbacks that have raised uncomfortable questions about the reliability of the UK’s official data. According to BBC News, the ONS apologized for “any inconvenience caused” by the postponement, but for many, the apology rings hollow. The Bank of England, for one, has been openly critical of the ONS’s struggles, especially when it comes to labour market data. In March 2025, the agency suspended its producer price figures and delayed the release of trade balance data, citing similar quality concerns.
It’s not just the central bank that’s concerned. Andrew Sentance, a former member of the Bank of England’s rate-setting committee and former CBI director of economic affairs, didn’t mince words on social media: “A total and utter shambles in the management of official statistics in the UK. A 2-week delay to check some details of the Retail Sales Index? A totally excessive delay. What is the so-called regulator The Statistics Authority doing about this? Nothing, as usual. Shocking!” Sentance’s exasperation is echoed by many in the financial and policy communities, who rely on timely and accurate data to make informed decisions.
Economist Robert Wood of Pantheon Macroeconomics also weighed in, stating bluntly that “all ONS data must be suspect now.” In a post on social media, he argued, “There seems to be a serious problem at the ONS. Every odd datapoint now will raise the question, is this real or an ONS error? This stuff really matters. The ONS need to get on top of this yesterday.” It’s hard to overstate the impact of such skepticism: when trust in the numbers erodes, so too does confidence in the policies and decisions built upon them.
So, what’s going wrong at the ONS? The problems appear to be both deep and persistent. In June 2025, a government review led by Sir Robert Devereux found “deep-seated” issues within the organization, particularly in its leadership culture and planning processes. The review concluded that the agency had not prioritized funding for the collection of core economic statistics, leading to a string of mistakes and missteps. Most notably, in June, the ONS admitted to overstating the UK’s April inflation rate after it received incorrect road tax data from the Department for Transport. That blunder forced the agency to revise its figures and issue a public correction—hardly a confidence booster for those who depend on ONS data.
The leadership shakeup has already begun. In July 2025, Sir Robert Chote resigned as chair of the UK Statistics Authority, the body responsible for overseeing the ONS, citing the urgent need for new leadership to restore public trust. In response to the Devereux review, the ONS agreed to split its top job into two separate roles—one operational, one statistical—and to refocus resources on shoring up its data collection and analysis capabilities. The agency has publicly welcomed the review’s findings and acknowledged the need for significant reforms.
Still, the ONS’s troubles are far from over. The agency has faced particular scrutiny over its labour market data, which has drawn criticism from both the Bank of England and the Treasury. Late last year, the ONS admitted it might not be able to replace its current labour force survey with a more accurate version until 2027, prolonging concerns about the reliability of its employment figures. There have also been delays and major adjustments to trade data and producer price figures throughout 2025, compounding the sense of instability.
For the government, these data woes couldn’t come at a worse time. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has made growing the UK economy her main priority, with a focus on improving living standards. The ONS’s figures on inflation, gross domestic product (GDP), and retail sales are central to many of the policy decisions made by her office. When those numbers are called into question, it undermines the credibility of the government’s economic strategy—and, by extension, public confidence in its ability to deliver.
Financial markets, too, are feeling the effects. Investors and traders use ONS data to inform their decisions, and delays or revisions can trigger volatility and uncertainty. Fusion Media, a financial news provider, reminded its readers that “the credibility issues with regards to UK data continues and now not just with the labour market.” The warning is clear: when official statistics are unreliable, everyone—from policymakers to pensioners—stands to lose.
Despite the criticism, some experts have defended the ONS’s decision to delay the retail sales release. As Robert Wood noted, halting publication to double-check the data is preferable to “sweeping the problem under the carpet.” In other words, transparency and caution, however frustrating in the short term, are better than risking the publication of flawed or misleading statistics.
Looking ahead, the ONS faces a steep climb to restore its battered reputation. The agency has pledged to implement the recommendations of the Devereux review and to prioritize the accuracy and reliability of its data. Whether these reforms will be enough to regain the trust of policymakers, markets, and the public remains to be seen. For now, the delay in the July retail sales figures stands as a stark reminder of just how crucial—and fragile—trust in official statistics can be.
With the new release date set for September 5, all eyes will be on the ONS to deliver data that is not just timely, but above all, trustworthy. The stakes, after all, are higher than ever.
