Georgina Sturge
@georginasturge.bsky.social
Statistics expert and writer, formerly of the House of Commons Library. New book 'Sum of Us' out now 🙌📊 Also author of critically acclaimed 'Bad Data' (2022).
The Spectator's Michael Simmons has gathered lots of recent examples of bad data together in this eye-opening piece.
www.spectator.co.uk/article/data...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/data...
Datageddon: Britain's stats have become dangerously unreliable
There were cheers in the Treasury last month as the nation’s statisticians discovered a spare £3 billion down the back of the sofa. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) admitted that VAT receipts ...
www.spectator.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 9:02 AM
The Spectator's Michael Simmons has gathered lots of recent examples of bad data together in this eye-opening piece.
www.spectator.co.uk/article/data...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/data...
Reposted by Georgina Sturge
Why do people *not* respond to the Labour Force Survey? For a while the biggest problem was thought to be failure to make contact with the sampled households.
New data suggests by far the bigger problem - arguably more worrying - is people knowing they've been invited but refusing to take part.
New data suggests by far the bigger problem - arguably more worrying - is people knowing they've been invited but refusing to take part.
October 23, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Why do people *not* respond to the Labour Force Survey? For a while the biggest problem was thought to be failure to make contact with the sampled households.
New data suggests by far the bigger problem - arguably more worrying - is people knowing they've been invited but refusing to take part.
New data suggests by far the bigger problem - arguably more worrying - is people knowing they've been invited but refusing to take part.
Why do people *not* respond to the Labour Force Survey? For a while the biggest problem was thought to be failure to make contact with the sampled households.
New data suggests by far the bigger problem - arguably more worrying - is people knowing they've been invited but refusing to take part.
New data suggests by far the bigger problem - arguably more worrying - is people knowing they've been invited but refusing to take part.
October 23, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Why do people *not* respond to the Labour Force Survey? For a while the biggest problem was thought to be failure to make contact with the sampled households.
New data suggests by far the bigger problem - arguably more worrying - is people knowing they've been invited but refusing to take part.
New data suggests by far the bigger problem - arguably more worrying - is people knowing they've been invited but refusing to take part.
Household surveys are vitally important to public policy but response rates are in crisis. Following heavy criticism, the UK's statistical authorities say they're finally getting a grip on the issue.
Might we already be seeing some signs of recovery?
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
Might we already be seeing some signs of recovery?
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
Are there cautious signs of recovery for UK statistics?
The all-important Labour Force Survey shows some signs of bouncing back
open.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Household surveys are vitally important to public policy but response rates are in crisis. Following heavy criticism, the UK's statistical authorities say they're finally getting a grip on the issue.
Might we already be seeing some signs of recovery?
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
Might we already be seeing some signs of recovery?
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
My main feeling about these kinds of poll is that they miss something crucial which is *why* people think we were wrong to leave.
Brexit voters who now say it was the wrong decision are usually signalling discontent with how it was handled, though they'd still back the principle of leaving.
Brexit voters who now say it was the wrong decision are usually signalling discontent with how it was handled, though they'd still back the principle of leaving.
Ah! Good morning, reality. And welcome. We’ve been expecting you…
October 20, 2025 at 8:36 AM
My main feeling about these kinds of poll is that they miss something crucial which is *why* people think we were wrong to leave.
Brexit voters who now say it was the wrong decision are usually signalling discontent with how it was handled, though they'd still back the principle of leaving.
Brexit voters who now say it was the wrong decision are usually signalling discontent with how it was handled, though they'd still back the principle of leaving.
Reposted by Georgina Sturge
To understand the UK, you must carefully study this map. Tells you all you need to know 🥔 ✂️ (I could find a crisps / chips emoji)
October 15, 2025 at 6:26 AM
To understand the UK, you must carefully study this map. Tells you all you need to know 🥔 ✂️ (I could find a crisps / chips emoji)
I did some quick analysis of who has been signing the e-petition against digital ID and the results are interesting.
Nothing very surprising when comparing signatures per constituency with share voting Reform in 2024.
The picture for Labour is a bit more troubling…
Nothing very surprising when comparing signatures per constituency with share voting Reform in 2024.
The picture for Labour is a bit more troubling…
October 10, 2025 at 12:03 PM
I did some quick analysis of who has been signing the e-petition against digital ID and the results are interesting.
Nothing very surprising when comparing signatures per constituency with share voting Reform in 2024.
The picture for Labour is a bit more troubling…
Nothing very surprising when comparing signatures per constituency with share voting Reform in 2024.
The picture for Labour is a bit more troubling…
Some thoughts on the Chancellor's data difficulties in my Substack post this week ⬇️
Plus, oh yes, I'm still keeping my beady eye on digital ID, and the public reaction so far is not looking good...
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
Plus, oh yes, I'm still keeping my beady eye on digital ID, and the public reaction so far is not looking good...
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
October 9, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Some thoughts on the Chancellor's data difficulties in my Substack post this week ⬇️
Plus, oh yes, I'm still keeping my beady eye on digital ID, and the public reaction so far is not looking good...
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
Plus, oh yes, I'm still keeping my beady eye on digital ID, and the public reaction so far is not looking good...
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
Nice view of Somerset House at low tide back when it housed the General Records Office. The embankment now separates the building's facade from the river, and the bridge has been replaced by a bigger concrete one.
'London, a view of Somerset House seen through an arch of Waterloo Bridge' (c.1865) by Henry Pether
(Private collection)
(Private collection)
October 9, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Nice view of Somerset House at low tide back when it housed the General Records Office. The embankment now separates the building's facade from the river, and the bridge has been replaced by a bigger concrete one.
Well this is a new one for me and something that belongs in an update of Bad Data (and in Sum of Us).
Italians mistakenly identified as Roma on Scottish Census.
www.thetimes.com/article/f1ff...
Italians mistakenly identified as Roma on Scottish Census.
www.thetimes.com/article/f1ff...
Italians mistakenly identifying as Roma on botched Scottish census
Statisticians said results should be treated with caution as some people had mixed up the ethnic Gypsy group with the Italian capital city
www.thetimes.com
October 8, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Well this is a new one for me and something that belongs in an update of Bad Data (and in Sum of Us).
Italians mistakenly identified as Roma on Scottish Census.
www.thetimes.com/article/f1ff...
Italians mistakenly identified as Roma on Scottish Census.
www.thetimes.com/article/f1ff...
Economic forecasts are *always* revised & the swing can be substantial. Add to that the OBR choosing this moment to revise productivity figures going back 10 years.
Bad data strikes again, leaving the Chancellor with a fiscal headache & massive PR challenge ⬇️
www.thetimes.com/article/83c5...
Bad data strikes again, leaving the Chancellor with a fiscal headache & massive PR challenge ⬇️
www.thetimes.com/article/83c5...
October 4, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Economic forecasts are *always* revised & the swing can be substantial. Add to that the OBR choosing this moment to revise productivity figures going back 10 years.
Bad data strikes again, leaving the Chancellor with a fiscal headache & massive PR challenge ⬇️
www.thetimes.com/article/83c5...
Bad data strikes again, leaving the Chancellor with a fiscal headache & massive PR challenge ⬇️
www.thetimes.com/article/83c5...
Very astute piece.
The unification of data systems that was already going on quietly in the background could be at risk now because it's being publicly framed as part of the move to a 'papers please' society.
The unification of data systems that was already going on quietly in the background could be at risk now because it's being publicly framed as part of the move to a 'papers please' society.
September 29, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Very astute piece.
The unification of data systems that was already going on quietly in the background could be at risk now because it's being publicly framed as part of the move to a 'papers please' society.
The unification of data systems that was already going on quietly in the background could be at risk now because it's being publicly framed as part of the move to a 'papers please' society.
Reposted by Georgina Sturge
Timely account of the fascinating history of data in our politics!
It shows how much of the data collection that's defined our sense of who we are as a society across history comes down to a mix of accident, contingency & bias (& plenty of genuine concern for human welfare & a better society too!)
It shows how much of the data collection that's defined our sense of who we are as a society across history comes down to a mix of accident, contingency & bias (& plenty of genuine concern for human welfare & a better society too!)
Spotted by a contact at the Labour conference in Liverpool! 🙌
Want to better understand our complicated, love-hate relationship with ID cards, population registers, data privacy, and being counted and put in boxes by the state?
Head down to the conference bookshop (?) to pick up a copy!
Want to better understand our complicated, love-hate relationship with ID cards, population registers, data privacy, and being counted and put in boxes by the state?
Head down to the conference bookshop (?) to pick up a copy!
September 29, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Timely account of the fascinating history of data in our politics!
It shows how much of the data collection that's defined our sense of who we are as a society across history comes down to a mix of accident, contingency & bias (& plenty of genuine concern for human welfare & a better society too!)
It shows how much of the data collection that's defined our sense of who we are as a society across history comes down to a mix of accident, contingency & bias (& plenty of genuine concern for human welfare & a better society too!)
Spotted by a contact at the Labour conference in Liverpool! 🙌
Want to better understand our complicated, love-hate relationship with ID cards, population registers, data privacy, and being counted and put in boxes by the state?
Head down to the conference bookshop (?) to pick up a copy!
Want to better understand our complicated, love-hate relationship with ID cards, population registers, data privacy, and being counted and put in boxes by the state?
Head down to the conference bookshop (?) to pick up a copy!
September 29, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Spotted by a contact at the Labour conference in Liverpool! 🙌
Want to better understand our complicated, love-hate relationship with ID cards, population registers, data privacy, and being counted and put in boxes by the state?
Head down to the conference bookshop (?) to pick up a copy!
Want to better understand our complicated, love-hate relationship with ID cards, population registers, data privacy, and being counted and put in boxes by the state?
Head down to the conference bookshop (?) to pick up a copy!
Wake up in the morning feeling like T Blair...
🪪 ID cards are back! This time it's digital. 🪪
"YouGov ran a snap poll yesterday in which support had fallen to just 42% while opposition stood at 44%. At the time of writing, a parliamentary petition against ID cards is heading towards two million signatures."
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
"YouGov ran a snap poll yesterday in which support had fallen to just 42% while opposition stood at 44%. At the time of writing, a parliamentary petition against ID cards is heading towards two million signatures."
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
ID cards are back! This time it's digital.
If the government wants to avoid a re-run of the 2000s, it must fully convince us of the benefits this time.
open.substack.com
September 27, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Wake up in the morning feeling like T Blair...
🪪 ID cards are back! This time it's digital. 🪪
"YouGov ran a snap poll yesterday in which support had fallen to just 42% while opposition stood at 44%. At the time of writing, a parliamentary petition against ID cards is heading towards two million signatures."
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
"YouGov ran a snap poll yesterday in which support had fallen to just 42% while opposition stood at 44%. At the time of writing, a parliamentary petition against ID cards is heading towards two million signatures."
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
ID cards are back! This time it's digital.
If the government wants to avoid a re-run of the 2000s, it must fully convince us of the benefits this time.
open.substack.com
September 27, 2025 at 10:04 AM
🪪 ID cards are back! This time it's digital. 🪪
"YouGov ran a snap poll yesterday in which support had fallen to just 42% while opposition stood at 44%. At the time of writing, a parliamentary petition against ID cards is heading towards two million signatures."
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
"YouGov ran a snap poll yesterday in which support had fallen to just 42% while opposition stood at 44%. At the time of writing, a parliamentary petition against ID cards is heading towards two million signatures."
open.substack.com/pub/georgina...
Reposted by Georgina Sturge
New data provides fascinating insights into outcomes of recent refugees granted status between 2015 and 2020
Both asylum (ARR) and resettled refugees (RR) struggled in labour market, but particular the latter - likely reflecting that many were selected based on vulnerability
link to data in reply
Both asylum (ARR) and resettled refugees (RR) struggled in labour market, but particular the latter - likely reflecting that many were selected based on vulnerability
link to data in reply
September 26, 2025 at 2:10 PM
New data provides fascinating insights into outcomes of recent refugees granted status between 2015 and 2020
Both asylum (ARR) and resettled refugees (RR) struggled in labour market, but particular the latter - likely reflecting that many were selected based on vulnerability
link to data in reply
Both asylum (ARR) and resettled refugees (RR) struggled in labour market, but particular the latter - likely reflecting that many were selected based on vulnerability
link to data in reply
Reposted by Georgina Sturge
I was able to discuss this due to reading this book.
Want to know how digital ID works, what it would involve, why we don't have it already, and why the last time we tried to have an identity register it went tits up very fast?
It's the perfect time to get hold of a copy of Sum of Us (e- and audio-books also available)!
It's the perfect time to get hold of a copy of Sum of Us (e- and audio-books also available)!
September 26, 2025 at 10:40 AM
I was able to discuss this due to reading this book.
"Digital identity cards might sound like something we should have - and an informed public would back them in principle - but getting to the stage of having them without Labour dealing itself severe political injury will not be easily done."
georginasturge.substack.com/p/is-britain...
georginasturge.substack.com/p/is-britain...
Is Britain ready for BritCard?
Labour is re-entering risky political space with digital ID proposal
georginasturge.substack.com
September 26, 2025 at 8:30 AM
"Digital identity cards might sound like something we should have - and an informed public would back them in principle - but getting to the stage of having them without Labour dealing itself severe political injury will not be easily done."
georginasturge.substack.com/p/is-britain...
georginasturge.substack.com/p/is-britain...
Want to know how digital ID works, what it would involve, why we don't have it already, and why the last time we tried to have an identity register it went tits up very fast?
It's the perfect time to get hold of a copy of Sum of Us (e- and audio-books also available)!
It's the perfect time to get hold of a copy of Sum of Us (e- and audio-books also available)!
September 26, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Want to know how digital ID works, what it would involve, why we don't have it already, and why the last time we tried to have an identity register it went tits up very fast?
It's the perfect time to get hold of a copy of Sum of Us (e- and audio-books also available)!
It's the perfect time to get hold of a copy of Sum of Us (e- and audio-books also available)!
Want to know how digital ID works, what it would involve, why we don't have it already, and why the last time we tried to have an identity register it went tits up very fast?
It's the perfect time to get hold of a copy of Sum of Us (e- and audio-books also available)!
It's the perfect time to get hold of a copy of Sum of Us (e- and audio-books also available)!
September 26, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Want to know how digital ID works, what it would involve, why we don't have it already, and why the last time we tried to have an identity register it went tits up very fast?
It's the perfect time to get hold of a copy of Sum of Us (e- and audio-books also available)!
It's the perfect time to get hold of a copy of Sum of Us (e- and audio-books also available)!
Worth noting that public opinion on identity cards is pretty mixed. Not clear yet exactly what will be proposed though and we can be quite sure it won't be a physical card.
Labour's experience with ID cards in the 2000s is definitely also worth remembering. They had strong support at first...
Labour's experience with ID cards in the 2000s is definitely also worth remembering. They had strong support at first...
September 25, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Worth noting that public opinion on identity cards is pretty mixed. Not clear yet exactly what will be proposed though and we can be quite sure it won't be a physical card.
Labour's experience with ID cards in the 2000s is definitely also worth remembering. They had strong support at first...
Labour's experience with ID cards in the 2000s is definitely also worth remembering. They had strong support at first...
Well, it's really happening 🗃️ ID cards are back!
From what's suggested so far:
- ID will be all digital
- Doubtful whether everyone will be covered because
- Only need to present it for specific processes (i.e. not everyone works)
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
From what's suggested so far:
- ID will be all digital
- Doubtful whether everyone will be covered because
- Only need to present it for specific processes (i.e. not everyone works)
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
All UK adults to require digital ID under Keir Starmer plan
The ‘Brit card’ would be part of efforts to tackle illegal migration by verifying right to live and work in Britain
www.thetimes.com
September 25, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Well, it's really happening 🗃️ ID cards are back!
From what's suggested so far:
- ID will be all digital
- Doubtful whether everyone will be covered because
- Only need to present it for specific processes (i.e. not everyone works)
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
From what's suggested so far:
- ID will be all digital
- Doubtful whether everyone will be covered because
- Only need to present it for specific processes (i.e. not everyone works)
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
When the people you want to count depend on going unnoticed
More than ten times as many women are sleeping rough in England than Government data indicates - Women’s Rough Sleeping Census. For safety they are less likely to sleep in visible places, and more likely to hide their sex, and thus be undercounted
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Homelessness: 'Invisible' women rough sleeping in plain sight
BBC London joins charity workers as they carry out research into where homeless women are sleeping.
www.bbc.com
September 25, 2025 at 7:01 AM
When the people you want to count depend on going unnoticed
There's a persistent impression about the migration debate in the UK that one side - that of migration sceptics - both feels and cares a lot more.
I've got a nagging feeling that's not only untrue but having a disastrous effect.
⬇️ My latest post ⬇️
georginasturge.substack.com/p/a-monopoly...
I've got a nagging feeling that's not only untrue but having a disastrous effect.
⬇️ My latest post ⬇️
georginasturge.substack.com/p/a-monopoly...
A monopoly on emotion
We are in a crisis of being unable to talk to people with different opinions to our own
georginasturge.substack.com
September 24, 2025 at 3:33 PM
There's a persistent impression about the migration debate in the UK that one side - that of migration sceptics - both feels and cares a lot more.
I've got a nagging feeling that's not only untrue but having a disastrous effect.
⬇️ My latest post ⬇️
georginasturge.substack.com/p/a-monopoly...
I've got a nagging feeling that's not only untrue but having a disastrous effect.
⬇️ My latest post ⬇️
georginasturge.substack.com/p/a-monopoly...