UK delays retail sales and immigration data due to EU elections

FILE PHOTO: Shoppers are seen inside the Selfridges store on Oxford Street during the Boxing Day sales in central London, Britain December 26, 2018. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/File Photo - Copyright Henry Nicholls(Reuters)

By Reuters

Published on 03/05/2019 - 17:04•Updated 25/04/2024 - 03:51

Comments

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's statistics agency postponed the release of retail sales and immigration data due on May 23 by one day, to avoid publication on the same day that the country holds elections for the European Parliament.

"Publishing on a national polling day itself presents difficulties in communicating data clearly and fully, not least because of restrictions in place around reporting," the Office for National Statistics said.