High-level probe into ONS

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Updated:

 

A HIGH-LEVEL probe into the Office of National Statistics has begun after a string of embarrassing foul-ups in the government's economic figures.

Number-crunching watchdog the Statistics Commission has launched the investigation as it fears the rogue figures could damage the economy.

The Commission's members are appointed by Chancellor Gordon Brown. It is chaired by Professor David Rhind.

The inquiry comes a week after the ONS, led by New Zealander Len Cook, shocked the City by doubling its estimates of economic growth in the second quarter from 0.3% to 0.6%.

The probe will examine how errors creep into the figures and whether other government departments contribute to the mistakes.

Most watched Money videos