Third Sector Statistics User Panel, 19 November 2025: minutes

Lauren Caley (LC), Shelter Cymru

Heledd Davies (HD), Cymen (Interpreter)

Uzo Iwobi OBE (UI), Race Council Cymru

Catrin James (CJ), Urdd Gobaith Cymru

David James (DJ), Monmouthshire Rural Housing Enabler 

Thomas Laverley (TL), The Wallich

Carys Moseley (CM), Cytûn

Andrew O’Rourke (AOR), Welsh Government

Nerys Owens (NO), Welsh Government

Maddy Young (MY), Tenovus Cancer Care

Speakers

Nicole Burchill (NB), Welsh Government

Richard Davies (RD), Welsh Government

Stephanie Howarth (SH), Welsh Government (Chair)

Martin Parry (MP), Welsh Government

Minute taker

Megan Williams (MW), Welsh Government

Apologies

Rosie Cribb, Social Firms Wales

Paul Glaze, Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Services

SH welcomed attendees and explained the instructions for simultaneous translation.

An action from the previous meeting for members to provide feedback on group was marked as complete. A feedback survey was circulated to members ahead of the meeting and received 3 responses.

MP discussed the plans for Census 2031. In July 2025 the UK government commissioned the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to conduct a mandatory census for the whole population of Wales and England in 2031. The ONS topic consultation for Census 2031 was launched on 28 October 2025 and runs to 4 February 2026.

Alongside this, the ONS are also consulting on ethnicity harmonisation. The results of this will feed into the harmonised standard for data collection on ethnicity (Analysis Function). MP encouraged members to consider whether they have any specific data needs and respond to the consultations by 4 February 2026.

MP noted that ONS value contributions from different sectors and users, and that WG will be responding to the consultation to represent the needs of the entire government. SH commented that members can also let us know of any needs and that these will be reflected in WG’s consultation response.

Action 1: Members to consider responding to the consultations, or letting WG know of any data needs to feedback in our response

CJ asked about the availability of data on young people aged 16 to 25 from the census. 

MP responded that the census represents the entire population and data for these age groups is available.

Action 2: MP to send CJ links to specific data on young people from the census

RD discussed the launch of  StatsWales3 which went live on 26 September 2025. RD noted the increase in data topics and the launch of open API on the website.

NB demonstrated how to use the new StatsWales service to filter and download datasets. NB also demonstrated how to view the metadata for each dataset.

RD noted that all new data will only be published to the new service, and that the old service will likely close to users around January 2026, when the current contract ends. RD continued that the new service is still in a development phase and stated the importance of feedback to improve the service.

SH mentioned that they’re seeking feedback around the user interface and functionality of the service. All users are welcome to provide feedback and help with user testing. SH welcomed feedback especially from those with less experience handling data.

Updates around StatsWales are published on the Digital and Data blog. [Post meeting note: the latest Digital and Data blog confirms that the old StatsWales service will close on 2 March 2026)

Action 3: Members to sign up to take part in StatsWales3 research

English: Register your interest in taking part in StatsWales research

Cymraeg: Cadarnhewch eich diddordeb mewn cymryd rhan yng ngwaith ymchwil StatsCymru

SH explained that attendance has been particularly low over the last few meetings. 

SH noted the value of the group in helping statisticians to understand third sector needs and keeping members up to date with the latest data. However, SH was concerned that members’ needs were not being met with the current meeting format.

The group has been meeting twice a year for around 2 hours. SH queried whether this frequency was suitable for members.

TL commented that they were happy with a one-hour meeting to keep up to date with developments and have an opportunity to ask questions.

CM mentioned that the group was useful and there may be scope to combine the meeting with another forum. CM also noted the need for quality statistics within the third sector, and to encourage its value amongst colleagues.

LC noted that they were a member of multiple networks, and it may be worth reminding others of these meetings. 

SH queried whether it would be more beneficial for WG to give a shorter update at an alternative forum.

DJ mentioned the need for housing associations to be more aware of data. DJ suggested that an hourly meeting twice a year may be more suitable than the current format.

SH reiterated that WG doesn’t want to take away a forum which is valuable to its members. 

It was decided to continue with the Third Sector Statistics User Panel, with meetings taking place twice a year for one hour. This will be trialled for the next 12 months. 

Action 4: SH to get in touch with WCVA for further suggestions to engage the sector, or query other appropriate forums. 

AOR mentioned that the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD): 2025 will be published on 27 November. Please email stats.inclusion@gov.wales to be added to the WIMD newsletter for updates.

SH asked members to complete WG’s consultation on proposed changes to statistical outputs by 11 February 2026. There are several proposals to shorten, stop or reduce the frequency of some statistical outputs. SH noted that the data for many of the outputs is already available elsewhere. The aim of the consultation is to free capacity for teams to automate work and focus on new priorities.

Action 5: Members to complete WG’s consultation on proposed changes to statistical outputs

TL mentioned media interest around challenging statistics as an independent source of data. SH responded that this has affected the ONS more than other statistics producers. A review noted a number of performance and culture challenges at ONS. Since then, the ONS have been reviewing their work and set out plans for where they can scale back or collaborate with other organisations to improve quality. 

SH stated that the cultural issues are likely different in statistics in Welsh Government, but we events like this serve as a reminder to make sure we are creating the right culture. She explained that quality challenges like falling survey response rates are happening across the statistical system, and explained that modernising processes can also create quality risks. SH continued that WG are focusing on the quality of statistics as part of our transformation process. 

SH also highlighted the Office for Statistics Regulation’s latest Code of Practice and its guidance to statisticians around preventing misinformation.

Action 1: Members to consider responding to ONS’ consultations, or letting WG know of any data needs to feedback into our consultation response

Action 2: MP to send CJ links to specific data on young people from the census

Action 3: Members to sign up to take part in StatsWales3 research

Action 4: SH to get in touch with WCVA for suggestions to engage the sector, or query other appropriate forums

Action 5: Members to complete WG’s consultation on proposed changes to statistical outputs by 11 February 2026