House & Home
Wed, November 19, 2025
ONS Expands to Yorkshire: New Regional Hub Launched in Leeds
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Published in House and Home on Wednesday, November 19th 2025 at 6:52 GMT by The Independent- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
The Office for National Statistics Expands to Yorkshire, Welcoming David Hollingworth as Regional Director
In a move that signals a long‑anticipated shift in the UK’s approach to national data collection, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has announced the opening of a new regional hub in Yorkshire and the appointment of David Hollingworth as its director. The decision, announced in a press release on the ONS website and echoed by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), reflects a broader strategy to decentralise data production, improve engagement with local communities, and address persistent concerns that national statistics had become too London‑centric.
Why Yorkshire?
Yorkshire, with its population of roughly 7.5 million, represents one of the largest regions outside the South East and Greater London. Historically, ONS data have been produced from its central offices in London, and the region has often been described as “data‑poor” by local policymakers and journalists. In 2021, a review commissioned by the House of Commons Committee on the Constitution highlighted the need for a more geographically balanced data ecosystem. The new office will be based in Leeds, a city that already hosts a range of data‑driven research institutions and is home to a burgeoning “data corridor” that includes universities, tech start‑ups, and industry partners.
The strategic choice of Yorkshire also aligns with the government’s 2022–23 National Data Strategy, which calls for a “national network of data hubs” to promote evidence‑based policymaking at the sub‑national level. According to the ONS, the Leeds hub will house around 60 analysts and support staff, a workforce that will be drawn from both the existing London team and new hires from the local talent pool.
David Hollingworth: A New Vision for the ONS
David Hollingworth, who steps into the role of Regional Director, brings a wealth of experience from the UK Data Service, where he served as Director of Data Quality for seven years. Prior to that, he worked as a senior statistician at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, leading research on regional wage disparities and employment trends. In a statement released on his LinkedIn profile, Hollingworth said:
“The ONS has always been the benchmark for rigorous, evidence‑based statistics, but it is time to ensure that this benchmark is truly national. By anchoring our work in Yorkshire, we will bring fresh perspectives to the data we collect, analyse, and disseminate—especially for the communities that have historically been under‑represented.”
His appointment follows a competitive selection process that included a rigorous assessment of candidates’ technical expertise, leadership ability, and commitment to the ONS’s values of impartiality and transparency.
What the New Office Will Do
The Leeds hub is set to undertake a range of responsibilities that have traditionally been handled in London. These include:
- Data Collection and Fieldwork: Coordinating regional surveys, particularly for the upcoming 2026 Census, where Hollingworth’s team will liaise with local authorities to improve response rates.
- Statistical Modelling and Analysis: Running sub‑regional estimates for key indicators such as unemployment, inflation, and health outcomes.
- Community Engagement: Organising data‑storytelling workshops with local NGOs, schools, and councilors to translate raw numbers into actionable insights.
- Innovation and Digital Transformation: Piloting new data‑sharing platforms and open‑data portals that will enable citizens and researchers to access regional datasets more easily.
The ONS has committed £3.2 million to the initial set‑up, covering office space, IT infrastructure, and training for staff. This investment is part of a larger £10 million budget allocation for the ONS’s “regionalisation” programme, announced earlier this year by BEIS.
Addressing Past Criticisms
The ONS has faced its share of criticism over the years, most notably the 2021 revelation that the UK’s official unemployment figures were under‑reported by an estimated 120 000 people. Critics argued that the methodology was overly conservative and ignored informal or gig‑economy work that was growing in many regions, including Yorkshire. The new office is expected to bring a fresh, data‑driven perspective to such debates, with Hollingworth’s experience in labour market analytics seen as a key asset.
The ONS’s website also points to a recent audit by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) that highlighted “limitations in the granularity of regional data.” The establishment of the Leeds hub is, therefore, not just a symbolic gesture but a concrete step toward fulfilling OBR’s recommendations.
Broader Implications for UK Policy
The implications of this move extend beyond the ONS’s own operations. The UK’s devolved administrations—particularly in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland—have long argued for greater autonomy over statistical production. By creating a strong, autonomous regional presence in England, the ONS sets a precedent that could ease calls for similar hubs in the other nations.
Moreover, the new office is expected to play a critical role in the 2027 National Accounts update. Economists note that regional data are essential for accurate GDP calculations, and the addition of a robust Yorkshire centre will improve the precision of sub‑national GDP estimates. The ONS’s own forecast indicates that the Leeds hub will produce up to 30 % more regional data than the current London‑based teams, potentially redefining the way that economic policy is designed and evaluated.
Looking Ahead
The ONS’s decision to expand into Yorkshire, coupled with David Hollingworth’s appointment, is a watershed moment for national statistics in the UK. It reflects a growing consensus that data cannot be effectively gathered, analysed, or communicated from a single, central location. Instead, the diversity of the UK’s regions must be reflected in its data ecosystem if policymakers and the public are to have confidence in the numbers that guide critical decisions—from infrastructure investment to public health initiatives.
The new hub’s opening is scheduled for early 2025, with a full launch event planned for the summer. As the ONS embarks on this ambitious new chapter, analysts will be watching closely to see whether the Leeds office can deliver on its promise to bring sharper, more nuanced, and truly national statistics to the forefront of public policy.
Read the Full The Independent Article at:
[ https://www.independent.co.uk/money/office-for-national-statistics-yorkshire-london-david-hollingworth-england-b2868078.html ]
