Measuring the output of government: a statistical review in the United Kingdom

In 2004, the UK National Statistician decided to launch an independent review of the measurement of government output in the national accounts. The experience of this evaluation, lead by the author, may also be of interest beyond the United Kingdom. First, all EU Member States, with the exception of Denmark, have to change the methods they use to measure government output in time for the 2006 national accounts to be published next year. Secondly, the intellectual issues involved in measuring governmental output are challenging in a both theoretical and methodological perspective. Thirdly, the approach adopted in the UK – an independent review located within the national statistical agency – may be an administrative and political procedure applicable in other contexts as well.