Committee publication · Correspondence · 16 December 2025
Letter from Penny Young, Deputy Chair, UK Statistics Authority on recruitment for a permanent National Statistician, dated 5.12.25
From: Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Summary
Penny Young, Deputy Chair of the UK Statistics Authority, informs the PACAC chair that Acting National Statistician Emma Rourke is departing later in December 2025. Recruitment for a permanent National Statistician is underway with interviews scheduled for end-January and appointment expected shortly after. Interim arrangements are in place with the ONS Permanent Secretary to maintain operational continuity.
Key findings
- Emma Rourke, Acting National Statistician, is leaving the UK Statistics Authority later in December 2025
- Permanent National Statistician recruitment is progressing with interviews scheduled for end-January 2025
- Darren Tierney, Permanent Secretary for ONS, will oversee ONS delivery and recovery work during the interim period
- Appointment of permanent National Statistician expected soon after January interviews conclude
Tone
ProceduralTopics
public-administrationcivil-service-appointmentsstatistics-governance
Key actors
Penny Young, Emma Rourke, Simon Hoare, Darren Tierney, UK Statistics Authority, Office for National Statistics
Notable line
“… arrangements are in place to ensure the continued smooth operation of the National Statistician's Office.”
Key Quotes
“… the recruitment exercise for a permanent National Statistician is well underway, with interviews scheduled for the end of January, and an appointment expected soon after.”
“Darren Tierney, Permanent Secretary for the Office for National Statistics (ONS) will continue to oversee the ONS's delivery and progress the organisation's recovery work.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗