Introduction
Quarterly data summaries are a core part of the agenda to improve the transparency of government.
They provide a quarterly snapshot on;
- how each department is spending its budget
- the results departments have achieved
- how they are deploying their workforce.
The publication of QDS follows commitments made at Budget 2011 and the Written Ministerial Statement on business plans. Their primary purpose is to make more of the management information currently held by government available to members of the public on a regular basis.
The information provided is not audited, but can be used to provide a regular update on the management of Whitehall. We intend for this information to be formally laid in Parliament as part of future Annual Reports and Accounts.
Latest Department information
The QDS format is the same for all departments, though many of the individual indicators are unique to the department (especially input and impact indicators).
The QDS information available on the right-hand side of this page is provided in excel format to allow the information to be re-used.
For any interpretation or analysis of the information, users should refer to the measurement annex - on the right-hand side of this page - which outlines the caveats and nuances surrounding the data.
Please note: Due to the large number of impact indicators for this Department there is a separate annex to help make the information more accessible - see the annex on impact indicators on the right-hand side of this page.
Future publications
The QDS will be updated each quarter. The next will be published here in April 2012.
Our intention is to improve QDS information over time particularly around the timeliness and quality of the data, and to allow for further comparison between the metrics.
We are keen for your feedback which can be sent to the Department - marked 'Department QDS' - via the contact us form.
