On the latest ICAEW Insights podcast, we speak to Ed Humpherson, Director General of The Office for Statistics Regulation about the importance of data for the Levelling Up agenda.

The levelling up agenda aims to bring a better balance to the UK economy, but this is no easy undertaking, involving huge infrastructure projects and changes to everything from tax to devolution to regional funding. Ed discusses the importance of good data in moving the Levelling up agenda, where the critical gaps lie, and how statistics can be used to monitor and measure progress.

Then, ICAEW’s Head of Taxation Strategy Frank Haskew discusses the possibilities for the further devolution of tax, in light of Levelling up. He weighs up the pros and cons of what is a complex and divisive issue.

Links:
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/levelling-up-the-united-kingdom.
- https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity.
- https://osr.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/.
- https://osr.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/correspondence/ed-humpherson-to-ons-response-to-covid-19-infection-survey-statistics/.
- https://ifs.org.uk/publications/15892#:~:text=Well%2C%20the%20devolution%20deal%20means,a%20%E2%80%9CLaffer%20curve%E2%80%9D%20effect.
- https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/tax-and-devolution.
- https://gov.wales/devolution-tax-process-not-fit-purpose-finance-minister.

Host:
Philippa Lamb

Guests:
- Ed Humpherson, Director General of The Office for Statistics Regulation.
- Frank Haskew, Head of Taxation Strategy, ICAEW.

Producer:
Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 7 June 2022
Podcast recorded: May 2022