Peter Riddell in the Times explains why Gordon Brown and David Cameron's latest economic initiatives are "largely irrelevant". The BBC's Mark Easton, on his blog, says the UK statistics authority is still "hopping with indignation" about the way the government misused figures on knife crime. Andrew Porter in the Daily Telegraph reports that George Osborne has been pushing for Kenneth Cla...

The early release of knife crime statistics by the Home Office last month flouted new official guidelines in 10 different ways, the UK statistics authority said today. The UKSA published its code of practice today alongside a final judgment by the UKSA on the Home Office's misuse last month of knife crime statistics suggesting the offence was under control. The UKSA said that any figures that...

Last month, as you may recall, Jacqui Smith was in trouble for trumpeting apparently positive knife crime statistics, in a release of information described by the Chair of the UK Statistics Authority, Sir Michael Scholar, as “premature, irregular and selective”. Sir Michael has now called for all statistics to be released simultaneously to “all sides of

Highlights, not verbatim: This government has been in power too long. His long list includes the Department of Transport initiative that spent more on an efficiency drive than was saved (link), Labour's manipulation of knife crime statistics and a refusal...

I've been waiting for a while now, but have yet to see plod breaking into Jacqui Smith's Home and place of work for the leaking of the Knife Crime statistics. Obviously they aren't taking this one as seriously as Damian Green MP. As Bernard Wooley said in Yes Minister regarding the leaking of confidential information..." That's one of those irregular verbs, isn't it? I give confidential security b...

...this guy deserves some kind of award. Last week Sir Michael Scholar vehemently criticised the government's flagrant abuse of knife crime statistics. In so doing, not only did he nail a piece of New Labour spin so comprehensively that not even they felt able to defend it, but he also forced Robert Mugabe's Most Improved Pupil into issuing an apology to the House of Commons. Even so Jac...

Home secretary Jacqui Smith has apologised over the early release of knife crime statistics.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith tells the Commons she is "sorry" for releasing some knife crime statistics too early.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has apologised for being "too quick off the mark" to publish knife crime statistics which were not ready.

A dissident tribe called the UK Statistics Authority has busted the tribe of the Great Clunking Fist and Ho Moffice for fibbing and spinning. Thus, it appears, the Stats Tribe seeks to defend the honour of the Foundation of Trust: (Beeb)Downing Street has been rebuked for manipulating knife crime statistics for political ends. Sir Michael Scholar, head of the UK Statistics Authority, said official...