Quality of Life

House of Lords written question – answered at on 12 October 2011.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Lord Dykes Lord Dykes Liberal Democrat

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to improve the outcomes of quality of life assessments for people living and working in the United Kingdom.

Photo of Lord Wallace of Saltaire Lord Wallace of Saltaire Lords Spokesperson (Cabinet Office), Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.

Letter from Stephen Penneck, Director General for ONS, to Lord Dykes, dated October 2011.

As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your question asking what plans Her Majesty's Government has to improve the outcomes of quality of life assessments of people living and working in the United Kingdom. (HL12108)

The ONS measuring national well-being programme aims to develop an accepted and trusted set of National Statistics to help people understand and monitor national well-being, including economic performance, quality of life, the environment and sustainability. This programme is in response to a range of requirements, including the Government's intention to assess our wellbeing as a country "not just by our standard of living but by our quality of life".

To begin matters, ONS held a national public debate on "what matters to you". This is helping us frame the aspects of the quality of life that we should be measuring. The National Statistician's report on the debate was published on the ONS website in July. http://www.ons. gov.uk/ons/guide-method/user-guidance/well-being/index.html.

The next stage will be to consult on a first set of draft measures. Details will be published on the ONS website, at the following address, on 31 October. http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/user-guidance/well-being/wellbeing-knowledge-bank/understanding-wellbeing/understanding- well-being.html.

Does this answer the above question?

Yes0 people think so

No0 people think not

Would you like to ask a question like this yourself? Use our Freedom of Information site.