The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the government department responsible for collecting and publishing official statistics about the UK's society and economy.

Impartial information is vital to an open and democratic society. ONS is the principal provider of official statistics about the UK. Its information is used by government to make decisions about society and the economy, and by people to better understand their country.

ONS carries out the ten-yearly census and is also responsible for the registration of vital events in England and Wales through the General Register Office (GRO).   More detail...