ONS Plans New Two-Part 'Transformed' Labour Survey

Following a successful test, UK statistical authority the ONS has redesigned its Labour Force Survey (LFS), which will now be split into two parts: a short, online-first longitudinal 'Core' labour market-focused survey and a separate cross-sectional 'Plus' survey providing wider socioeconomic, household and local data.

The ONS (Office for National Statistics) says the questionnaire for the new Transformed Labour Force Survey (TLFS) has been extensively tested with both qual and quant studies and help from external experts and its key users. The 'Core' survey will take on average fifteen minutes to complete, with online completions supplemented by targeted telephone or face-to-face contact for non-responders, and both it and the Plus survey are expected to use sample sizes of 90,000.

The new approach is slated for introduction across the second half of this year, with an assessment of the new data in collaboration with key users in July 2026 and transition of published headline labour market statistics in November 2026 - however this is subject to change depending on results and feedback.

In the meantime the ONS says the current LFS has seen a drastic improvement in response rates over the last year with 63,069 individual responses in October to December 2024 compared with 44,238 in July to September 2023.

National Statistician Professor <34809?Sir Ian Diamond (pictured) comments: 'Our work to improve the quality of labour market statistics and address the real challenges the Labour Force Survey has faced continues to be a top priority. Today's announcement marks a pivotal move in setting up these vital statistics for the future. I'm very grateful to the external experts who have provided advice and assurance, and to ONS colleagues who have worked so hard to develop this plan.'

Web site: www.statistics.gov.uk .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.