This is the fourth National Statistics annual report which highlights the variety of work carried out by statisticians and other analysts in the Government Statistical Service (GSS) during the year 2003-04. It considers the progress made in implementing the statistical plans set out in the National Statistics Work Programme for 2003/04 to 2005/06, across three main areas of work: major developments in cross-cutting departmental or theme boundaries; work carried out under the aegis of the 12 National Statistics Theme Groups; and quality improvements carried out in the context of the National Statistics Quality Review Programme.

The Office for National Statistics was established as an executive agency and government department in April 1996 and is responsible for producing a wide range of key economic and social statistics used across government and for maintaining statistical standards. It also incorporates the General Register Office, responsible for ensuring the registration of all births, marriages and deaths in England and Wales, and for maintaining a central archive dating back to 1837. This is the ONS's 8th annual report and accounts which covers the year 2003-04.

Annual report For 2004 : First report of session 2004-05, report, together with appendices and formal Minutes

Office for National Statistics : Annual report and accounts 2003-04, oral and written evidence, Wednesday 27 October 2004, Mr Len Cook, Mr Colin Mowl, Mr Peter Murphy and Ms Jil Matheson

HM Customs and Excise (now part of HM Revenue and Customs) collected £162 billion of gross receipts in 2003-04 in value added tax (VAT) and excise and customs duties from over 1.8 million business traders. The Committee's report examines the NAO standard report on the work of the Department during 2003-04 (contained within the 95th report of the Commissioners of Her Majestys Customs and Excise for 2003-04, published as HCP 119, session 2004-05, ISBN 0102931593 in December 2004). It makes a number of recommendations focusing on work related to the two key revenue streams of VAT (which generates £63.6 billion net) and hydrocarbon oils, mainly on petron and diesel fuel (which provides £12.7 billion and £9.8 billion respectively).

Monetary and fiscal Policy : Present successes and future problems, 3rd report of session 2003-04, Vol. 2: Evidence