Office for National Statistics

[megaphone]

I'm getting letters from them every week, sometimes twice a week, I'm not interested in sharing my details and info with them, you'd think they would have got that by now as I haven't responded. Must be costing a fortune to send out, are others getting these letters?

[Doofus]

They can fine you if you don't respond.

[megaphone]

Doofus said:

They can fine you if you don't respond.

Really?

[Doofus]

megaphone said:

Really?

Yep.

www.ons.gov.uk/surveys/informationforbusinesses/ab...

Of course, it does depend upon what their letters say, what information they're after and whether or not it's applicable to your buisness.

If it's not relevant, then rell them so, and they'll stop sending the letters.

[megaphone]

Thanks, can't believe they would actually prosecute for ignoring, but worth knowing! I got another letter this morning, I've read through it and it's a COVID survey, affects on business etc.

Would be happy to do the survey if it was anonymous, but they want me to register an account, give my details etc, just not interested, so will ignore.

[randlemarcus]

megaphone said:

Thanks, can't believe they would actually prosecute for ignoring, but worth knowing! I got another letter this morning, I've read through it and it's a COVID survey, affects on business etc.

Would be happy to do the survey if it was anonymous, but they want me to register an account, give my details etc, just not interested, so will ignore.

You might want to read the link above again. Ignore is not a realistic response, and ONS are a bit of a golden child at the moment, so they have lots of money sloshing around, and they won't spend it all on nice paper, and consultants.

[Doofus]

megaphone said:

Thanks, can't believe they would actually prosecute for ignoring, but worth knowing! I got another letter this morning, I've read through it and it's a COVID survey, affects on business etc.

Would be happy to do the survey if it was anonymous, but they want me to register an account, give my details etc, just not interested, so will ignore.

They already have your details. They sent you the letter, after all.

[megaphone]

Nothing in the letter saying it is compulsory, so will ignore until they tell me different. They are persistent though.

[randlemarcus]

megaphone said:

Nothing in the letter saying it is compulsory, so will ignore until they tell me different. They are persistent though.

Nothing in the letter, no, but there is in the legislation, and this is a communication to the business, not a consumer transaction, so you get a lot less leeway. You are expected to know your responsibilities I'd just do the survey, personally, as at the far end of this, is the choice between closing the business, and doing a quick survey.

[Eric Mc]

Generally, replying to ONS letters and surveys is compulsory. It's all well and good making a stand - but is it worth it?

[megaphone]

When they first started coming through I thought they where junk mail, some sort of scam, some dodgy outfit making out they where official.

[niva441]

I can understand them seeming a bit like junk mail. I received them about 10 years ago and wasn't convinced by their authenticity. However (like all admin related things) I passed them to my accounts who looked into them and verified them.

[olo tation]

I have dealt with the ons a fair amount over the past. Generally the returns will tell you if they are mandatory or not and is obvious if they are. They will still send reminders and red final overdue warnings for voluntary returns which all get filed straight in the bin.

This isn't advice and I stand to be corrected but I get the impression that the ons work on a basis of getting a certain percentage of responses so as long as other people return them then they won't chase non respondents too hard.

On a side note I find it worrying that decisions can be made on the basis of some of the questions and the quality of answers that can be given to some of their questionnaires.

[Simpo Two]

olo tation said:

On a side note I find it worrying that decisions can be made on the basis of some of the questions and the quality of answers that can be given to some of their questionnaires.

Yes; to get an accurate picture the sample would have to be representative or compulsory.

[randlemarcus]

Simpo Two said:

Yes; to get an accurate picture the sample would have to be representative or compulsory.

I suspect he means the questions asked and the answer format is rubbish