Managing What you Measure: Addressing SDG data gaps and weaknesses in the UK

UCL IIPP and Newcastle University co-leads an impact-oriented research project on UK’s government data collection for the UN Sustainable Development Goals

This research project – led by UCL IIPP, host of the UK hub of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN UK) and partner member Newcastle University – aims to improve the collection and availability of UK government data for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Although the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has made progress on gathering and presenting data across the SDGs in the UK context, the 'Measuring Up 2.0' report identified a series of remaining challenges. These include gaps in the data compilation, failure to addresses challenges in the UK context, and a lack of assessment of UK progress. Improved data and localised indicators are essential for understanding – and ultimately advancing – the UK’s performance. 

The project through desk research and stakeholder engagement aims to:

• Further clarify and fill key data gaps. This will improve the tracking and measurement of the UK's progress and enable more complete reporting.
• Propose an initial draft of national targets and indicators that better reflect the relevance of the SDGs in the UK. 

The stakeholder engagement event took place in April 2023 at UCL, with over 40 SDSN UK members in attendance. Initial research findings of this project were presented to a group of stakeholders representing multiple sectors, from academia, the public sector and civil society organisations. 

This project has provided the foundation for the development of an academic paper co-authored with the ONS SDG, which will be published in the next year. 

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