This statement is in accordance with Protocol 3 of the Code of Practice for Official Statistics, and describes how administrative data is used to compile DFID’s National Statistics.
DFID’s internal management and information system, ARIES, is used to compile the DFID element of the following National Statistic releases:
Data from ARIES is also used by other DFID staff for both internal and external purposes. When changes to ARIES are considered, statistical staff are consulted as part of the change management process.
There are currently no other administrative sources within DFID which could be used to produce our National Statistics.
ARIES data is used as the basis of a separate statistical database, which is used to produce SID and ODA. This separate database was needed because ARIES data is not stored in a suitable format for complying with international reporting standards that were agreed with the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC). In addition to DFID administrative data, the database also includes data collected from other government departments’ financial administrative systems. The database is used only by DFID statisticians to produce National Statistics and for other associated statistical processes.
Within DFID, ARIES data is accessible by most of the organisation. The level of access that members of staff have depends on their grade and role. There are a number of different roles which are required for each project entered on ARIES, i.e. an inputter, a Quality Assurer, and Project Approver.
ARIES has a data reporting facility which is available to staff within DFID and allows users to access standard reports on an ad hoc basis. These standard reports have been quality assured by DFID statisticians and other staff within the Finance and Performance Department to ensure that they are fit for purpose.
DFID’s Project Information Database makes ARIES data publicly available. Users can view information on projects, including descriptions, sectors and budgets; all of which is taken from ARIES.
ARIES data is the basis of DFID’s Resource Accounts and forward spending plans which are produced by DFID accountants and published in DFIDs Annual Report.
These publications are produced using different definitions and methodologies. Our National Statistics publications are based on the statistical reporting standards laid out by the DAC whereas DFID’s Resource Accounts have to conform to GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) standards.
Data is held on ARIES in accordance with our IT Strategy. DFID’s Blue Book sets out guidance on how DFID staff should comply with the Data Protection Act and should handle confidential information. No confidential or sensitive information is extract from ARIES to compile statistical publications.
All DFID projects have a Quality Assurer, who is responsible for checking that project information entered on ARIES is correct. Statisticians within DFID also conduct regular quality assurance exercises and maintain guidance on how to enter project details on ARIES to ensure that information entered meets statistical requirements.
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