The ONS will continue to produce critical statistics in areas such as public sector finance, retail sales, health and crime, along with subnational analysis, while some other areas of work will be paused or slowed down to ensure the resources needed to maintain quality in core products are available.

The ONS also said that as well as an increased focus on core statistics, it will work with partners to provide responsive analysis that directly addresses evidence gaps and policy priorities, including the missions introduced by the government.

In addition, the ONS will modernise processes and develop systems that underpin the production of quality statistics.

In particular, the ONS said this means focusing more resources on increasing survey participation and continuing work to make greater use of existing and new linked data sources to produce more frequent and granular statistics.

This will include the continuation of transformation work in areas such as prices, labour market and population, and a recommendation on the future of population and migration statistics.

A strategy for economic statistics will also be produced to give more clarity in direction, along with a detailed and prioritised workplan.

National statistician Professor Sir Ian Diamond said: “We will increase our focus on our core economic and population statistics so that we can continue to respond to the most important needs of the nation.

“This will mean prioritising our efforts in areas that have the greatest impact such as gross domestic product, prices, labour market and population changes.”