Office for National Statistics Reviews 74

TrustScore 1.5 out of 5

1.4

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

My mother died nearly 2 years ago inher 80's. My brother was her carer. Recently he had a woman from ONS asking for a survey and said that my mother had been interviewed recently about her money and r... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

We initially thought this was a scam, however persevered as it appears to be for a government agency. However never received the promised vouchers - turns from yet another subsidary (sodexo) which rip... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Very persistently tried to contact me on the phone after I turned the field staff away due to feeling really unwell and not letting them in my house. Very rude and inconsiderate. Ended up having to bl... See more

Company replied

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Had the original letter about being selected to complete the survey. Got half way through it on line and couldn't answer one question so I couldn't carry on. Have been unwell since then and forgot all... See more

Company details

  1. Government Office

Written by the company

The UK's largest independent producer of official statistics and the recognised national statistical institute of the UK.


Contact info

1.4

Bad

TrustScore 1.5 out of 5

74 reviews

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No history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited their customers, so reviews may not be representative

Replied to 93% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 2 weeks

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Sending aggressive bullies to home…

Sending aggressive bullies to home saying from Office of National Statistics. I had to threaten saying I am going to call police. Come next time I will call police for harassment. What a waste of tax payer money.

10 March 2025
Unprompted review
Office for National Statistics logo

Reply from Office for National Statistics

Thank you for your feedback.

Your address has been randomly selected to take part in one of our surveys and the visits are carried out to confirm that you’ve received the invitation letter.

Taking part in an ONS survey is your chance to help us understand the changing needs of the whole community. We use the information you provide to create statistics, such as official employment and unemployment rates.

We are sorry to hear about your experience with one of our interviewers. Please email Surveyfeedback@ons.gov.uk with your survey reference number, and we will investigate this further.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Whoever wrote this ridiculous survey…

Whoever wrote this ridiculous survey needs firing! Poorly written, daft questions. What an absolute and utter waste of time. Poorly written junk. Keep your £10 voucher and cram it where the sun doesn't shine!!

17 February 2025
Unprompted review
Office for National Statistics logo

Reply from Office for National Statistics

Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry that you’ve not had a good experience with our surveys. If you have specific feedback on the survey you were invited to participate in, you can email surveyfeedback@ons.gov.uk or contact our freephone Survey Enquiry Line on 0800 298 5313.

Taking part in ONS surveys is so important, as your answers help us understand the changing needs of the whole community. The information you provide is used to create statistics that can help shape facilities and services local to you, impacting the future of the UK.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Office of National statistics, survey

After er receiving the invite my family completed the first form earlier this year and noted a voucher would be sent, nothing came.
Then months later another survey with promised voucher completed but nothing came so emailed and was told voucher coming, nothing came, is it a scam, I checked and doesn't appear to be just a waste of time.
I'm recommending people ignore it, I will be.
6/3/25 once again a letter to complete a survey, emailed a complaint and told them not to resend, it's a scam.

1 January 2025
Unprompted review
Office for National Statistics logo

Reply from Office for National Statistics

Thank you for your feedback, we’re sorry that you have not yet received your voucher.

Unfortunately, we are having to process more vouchers than usual at the moment and are sometimes experiencing difficulties with vouchers not being received by our respondents. We advise you check all email addresses you have, including spam and junk folders, in case your voucher email has been directed there.

If you still have not received an email, please email Surveyfeedback@ons.gov.uk with reference numbers from any letters you may have so they can identify the survey and deal with your request with the voucher team.

It's really important to take part in ONS surveys, as the information is used to create official statistics and help us understand the changing needs of the whole community.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I have already done an ons business…

I have already done an ons business survey which as a small business owner trying to keep the business going is something i don't want to spend another 2yrs doing again it does feel like Haressment to have been chosen again!!!

25 January 2025
Unprompted review
Office for National Statistics logo

Reply from Office for National Statistics

Thank you for your feedback, we are sorry that you have not had a good experience with our surveys.

Our business surveys are conducted independently of each other, so it is possible for a business to be selected for more than one survey at a time.

Statistics play a major role in monitoring the UK economy and setting interest rates. From a business perspective they provide a vital source of information for identifying trends in the market, as a benchmark for company performance and as a guide to market developments.

Most ONS business surveys are conducted under Section 1 of the Statistics of Trade Act 1947, so your business is required by law to provide the information requested.

You can find out more about our business surveys on our website https://www.ons.gov.uk/surveys/informationforbusinesses/aboutonsbusinesssurveys

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

ONS sorted expired voucher for me

The ONS have said they’ll reissue a £10 voucher that had expired.
Many thanks

13 December 2024
Unprompted review
Office for National Statistics logo

Reply from Office for National Statistics

Thank you for your feedback, we’re happy that your experience with our survey has been positive. Taking part in ONS surveys is your chance to help us understand the changing needs of the whole community, and we thank you for taking part.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Violating

Initially I was OK with supporting the ONS by completing surveys- always without payment. I’ve never been offered payment from them?
The last survey involved someone coming to my home, declining to takes shoes off then proceeding to get me to compete an extremely personal and upsetting survey. A lot of the questions were really intrusive and disturbing questions on sexual assault. There was no warning that this was what the survey would be about and with the representative of ONS sat in my home adding pressure to the situation it felt hard not to comply. I was left feeling violated and very distressed afterwards. I don’t know where this information has gone.
Afterwards I received numerous phone calls from a man trying to force me into further interviews. In addition I’ve had letters telling me I am being booked into a further interview in 9 months time. This is a deeply disturbing organisation and on reflection I’m contemplating discussing with my MP.

22 July 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I completed survey

I completed survey, followed instructions and printed off £10 voucher, took it to shop, declined at the till as a scam.
So embarrassing in front of a queue. There was no number, no barcode, how are we supposed to use it?

24 October 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Sodexo gift voucher useless

Did a survey for the Office of National Statistics to get the £10 gift voucher. I got an Aldi voucher for it but was told at the till it would not work and was un cashable.

10 October 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Very intrusive information

Very intrusive information, that could be used by someone for all kinds of scam purposes if it got into the wrong hands. I have no faith that this data would remain private so pulled out of completing the survey.

7 October 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I used to receive several surveys per…

I used to receive several surveys per year. They now seem to arrive on a weekly basis, all which are legally required to be completed. For a small businesses it’s too much. I am trying to run a business in an incredibly tough business environment, without an overload of unnecessary surveys taking up hours of my time.

29 September 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Voucher award surveVoucher award survey, some people are just not interested y

Voucher award survey, some people are just not interested.
Ignored the first letter as it is VOLUNTARY... Chaser trying to book an appointment...
Turned up at the house banging the door and looking through the windows.... Give it up, some people don't want to give all their personal details so leave them and send invites to others. Harassment!!!!!!

3 September 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

They came at my property demanding to…

They came at my property demanding to come inside, they did asked me very personal questions about my income and how much spend , if I receive any benefits ,how much do I spend , everything .
Where do I come from , from which year I'm here, etc

17 June 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Sums up this country

Disgusting harassment and intimidation. Threatening me with court, a £2500 fine and a criminal record.

You can desecrate national monuments and live a life of crime. Yet you'll have a cleaner record than me if I don't complete a useless survey.

Imagine being a law abiding citizen and you can have a criminal record for not completing a survey. What a world we live in

25 July 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

£50 in vouchers, for 40 mins of my time

£50 in vouchers, for 40 mins of my time on the phone.

I've cashed both in (got £25 before the questionaire, and £25 after). I can confirm they are genuine.

The interview was on the phone and lasted 40 minutes. A friendly voice on the other end.

Just make sure you are talking to ONS, and not someone impersonating them. The easiest way to do this is to ring ONS directly, using the number on the website, and check you have indeed been signed up to a "study". They will also give you a pincode that the interviewer must know, to verify them when they ring.

1 April 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Got sent a threatening letter stating…

Got sent a threatening letter stating if I didn't fill in the survey - I would receive a £2,500 fine.

The surveys unfortunately aren't active, so when you log in; there's no survey.

So the ONS are now giving small business owners impossible tasks via financial threat.

Called them and apparently 'thousands of business owners' have had this.

So - you log in and there is no survey - so you can't fill the survey in; so liable for a hefty fine!

Please tell me how this is ethical. I have had the worst rigmarole over this and it's actually made me ill.

How on God's earth a government organisation can be so unprofessional and unethical is beyond me.

Had to call and do it verbally - how many thousands of business owners are now facing this issue and becoming stressed over it.

Advice to the ONS - test your digital systems and make sure your digital visitors can actually complete the tasks before you threaten them with fines if they don't!

You could not actually make this up.

Shame on the ONS

24 April 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

ONS and Glenigan???

The recent collaboration between the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Glenigan has raised significant concerns within the construction data market. Glenigan's opaque practices and dubious track record cast a shadow over the reliability and integrity of the data they provide.

Their history of selling unsolicited leads and pressuring customers into auto-renewing subpar
sales/leads services is deeply troubling. Additionally, resorting to legal action against small companies over relatively minor amounts further tarnishes their reputation.

The fact that Glenigan's true value in the industry remains elusive to many, coupled with the multitude of complaints against them visible on their Google business profile, underscores the severity of the issue. This partnership with ONS could potentially compromise the accuracy and credibility of vital statistical data, impacting various stakeholders within the construction industry.

In light of these concerns, it is imperative for ONS to reassess their collaboration with Glenigan and prioritize partnerships with entities that uphold transparency, integrity, and ethical business practices. Failure to do so risks undermining the trust in crucial statistical data and could have far-reaching implications for decision-making processes within the construction sector.

4 July 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Can be tedious, but not a problem either

We're currently taking part in the latest round of the ONS shapestudy, having just completed the third survey I can't complain. Yes, it is tedious answering the same questions over and over again, but in return we get a £10 voucher of our choice. Had no problems with previous vouchers so I'm happy.

29 February 2024
Unprompted review
Office for National Statistics logo

Reply from Office for National Statistics

Thank you for your feedback. We're glad that you have had a good experience with our survey, thank you for taking part!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

HARRASSMENT nothing less…

Brilliant a free notebook and £10 voucher ..HOWEVER...after receiving a letter it was put aside to do later as it had 3wks to complete. One week later another arrives with 3wks to complete. A few days later at 20.10hrs a knock at the door with ONS asking when I'm doing the survey giving me until 3rd March, past original date.. Next morning unknown call ( never answer these ) from Portsmouth, voicemail from ONS again telling me to fill in form or receive a visit or phone call.
Did this the next day.. Load of rubbish, some questions are worded different ways to get same answer..
I get the feeling that this isn't a survey for anything else but work availability and benefits.. Today having already done the survey another letter arrives..
So for clarity to the ONS , I'm not a benefit cheat and I retired 2yrs ago and past my retirement age.
ALSO I find out after doing the survey it is NOT obligatory unless a business..
Therefore HARASSMENT......
Save taxpayers money, send a letter, give a complete by date or option to refuse...Use the info you receive.
No need for multiple letters or door knockers at night time, probably council staff on overtime anyway..
Never been so annoyed, oh yes 1 star for a notepad & voucher..

23 February 2024
Unprompted review
Office for National Statistics logo

Reply from Office for National Statistics

Thank you for taking part in our survey and for your feedback; we’re sorry that you feel you've not had a good experience.

The working hours for our field staff are up until 20:00. We will feed your experience of a call outside these hours back to our teams to ensure this does not happen again.

Our statistics are used by government departments, public bodies and charities for things like improving healthcare and social services, removing barriers to work and supporting people unable to work, meeting the need for housing, school places and recycling services, and much more.

All households have an equal chance of being chosen to take part in our surveys and cannot be replaced, so we encourage households to submit responses through a range of methods. This includes extending the survey deadline after the invitation is received if we haven’t received a response yet. Sometimes there is overlap between a letter being sent and your response being received, which is unfortunately outside our control.

Taking part in our surveys is the way to help us understand the changing needs of communities and help to provide services they need. Once again, we thank you for taking part in our survey.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

ONS harassing, badgering and hounding for a "voluntary" survey

ONS harassing, badgering and hounding people to take part in a "voluntary" survey makes it not so voluntary. Stop wasting tax payers money and actually do something constructive for a change.

17 February 2024
Unprompted review
Office for National Statistics logo

Reply from Office for National Statistics

We’re sorry that you have not had a good experience with our surveys.

Our statistics are used by government departments, public bodies and charities for things like improving healthcare and social services, removing barriers to work and supporting people unable to work, meeting the need for housing, school places and recycling services, and much more.

All households have an equal chance of being chosen to take part in our surveys and cannot be replaced, so we encourage households to submit responses through a range of methods. Taking part in our surveys is the way to help us understand the changing needs of communities and help to provide services they need.

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