Policy Hub
Use this section to link directly to the organisations within United Kingdom Government that are responsible for social and economic research and statistical evidence.
Central Government Departments
Cabinet Office
Social Exclusion - Reports from the Social Exclusion Unit (SEU)
Depatment for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)
Local and Regional Government Research
Local Government Finance Statistics
Regeneration Research, conducted within the Urban Policy Unit, looks at a number of programmes aimed at the regeneration of our towns and cities.
Department for Constitutional Affairs
Department for Education and Skills (DfES)
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
The Sustainable Development Research (SDR) Network was established in 2001 as a UK-wide initiative contributing to sustainable development in the UK by facilitating the better use of evidence and research in policy-making in the areas of the environment and social and economic life.
Department for International Development (DFID)
Department for Transport
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Information and Analysis Directorate (formerly Analytical Services Directorate) is the central core of analysts and together with those analysts, offer a full range of analytical skills to help solve policies.
Department of Health (DH)
Policy Research provides a knowledge base for health services policy, social services policy and central policies directed at the health of the population as a whole.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
Employment Market Analysis and Research (EMAR) provides advice on employment relations and labour markets supported by an ongoing of evaluation and research.
HM Treasury
Adding It Up is a report that sets out a programme for creating the conditions in which rigorous analysis is routinely delivered and demanded for policymaking. It highlights areas of analysis and modelling within central government that are in need of review and puts forward suggestions for further improvements that can be made.
Home Office
Inland Revenue
National Assembly for Wales (NAW)
Economy and labour market 2004 provides access to Statistical Bulletins and Releases produced by the Statistical Directorate in 2004.
The Statistics for Wales web site, within the Statistical Directorate, shows data that has been processed, interpreted, and published using information from various sources about the demographic, economic and social condition of Wales.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) contains a comprehensive range of official Northern Ireland statistics as well as information about the Census and the General Register Office.
Office for National Statistics (ONS)
StatNet - the Government Statistical Service (GSS) Intranet site, designed to facilitate and improve communications across the GSS. Content includes key GSS documents and facilities, material relating to the Integrating Analysis initiative and information about job opportunities in the GSS. It can be accessed by anyone connected to the Government Secure Intranet (GSI). For those in government who are not connected to the GSI, password-controlled Internet access is available.
Scottish Executive
Central Research Unit provides a research service principally in relation to social policy but also covering other scientific areas such as certain transport, rural and environmental issues.
General Register Office for Scotland
info4local.gov.uk is a gateway for local authorities to get access to local government-related information published on the web sites of central government departments and agencies.
Laria (Local Authorities Research & Intelligence Association) promotes the role and practice of research within local government as well as providing a supportive network for those conducting or commissioning research.
Local Government Association Research is a representative of all local governments in England and Wales promoting better local government and to put local councils at the heart of the drive to improve public services.
The Local Government Information Unit is an independent research and information organisation supported by over 150 councils and the local government trade unions.
Localis, now taken over by Policy Exchange, commissions and publishes research and other information that is relevant to Local Government in the UK and its relationship to national government.
New Local Government Network is an independent think tank promoting fresh and innovative thinking about the modernisation agenda for local government.
Regional Co-ordination Unit
The Regional Co-ordination Unit was established as a result of the PIU report Reaching Out - The Role of Central Government at Regional and Local Level'. It exists to consider Government initiatives with a regional or local dimension (Area Based Initiatives - ABIs) and to promote closer links between Government activity in the regions and the Centre.
Regional Observatories
Several Regional observatories have been set up to support and promote the use of research and information in policy making of regions and to share knowledge and best practice. These have been jointly developed by Regional Development Agencies, Regional Assemblies, Government Offices for the Regions and the Environment Development Agency. Those currently set up comprise:-
In additional there are other regional organisations which provide a similar role for other regions.
Other Government Organisations
Audit Commission is an independent body responsible for ensuring that public money is used economically, efficiently and effectively by carrying out national research on public sector delivery performance.
Bank of England Monetary and Financial Statistics
National Audit Office is an organisation independent of the Government that audits the accounts of all government departments and agencies as well as a number of other public bodies on behalf of Parliament.
Sector Skills Development Agency - established to underpin the Skills for Business Network, a network of UK wide Sector Skills Councils and to promote effective working between sectors. Skills for Business Network has been charged to lead the skills and productivity drive in industry or business sectors recognised by employers. It brings together employers, trade unions and professional bodies working with government to develop the skills that UK business needs.
Click for advice on how to decide whether a piece of evidence is useful.