ONS Criticizes BBC's 'Industry' Over Characters Impersonating Staff
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has formally criticized the BBC's hit television series Industry for a recent episode depicting characters falsely impersonating ONS field interviewers. Darren Tierney, the permanent secretary of the ONS, expressed concerns in a letter to Tim Davie, the outgoing director general of the BBC, stating that such portrayal risks undermining the "delicate relationship" between data collectors and the public.
Risk to Public Trust in Data Collection
In the third episode of Industry's fourth season, titled "Habseligkeiten," characters Sweetpea Golightly and Harper Stern, played by Miriam Petche and Myha'la, impersonate ONS employees to gain access to a home in Sunderland. Tierney emphasized that ONS field interviewers, who visit thousands of homes monthly to gather data for official statistics like employment and consumer spending, rely on public trust to perform their duties safely and effectively.
He noted that this trust has been under strain since the Covid-19 pandemic, with increased public wariness about fraudsters and data privacy. "They do so with dedication, professionalism, and often under challenging conditions. Their ability to perform this work safely depends on a foundation of trust," Tierney wrote, adding that staff have "expressed distress" over the potential compromise of this trust.
Background and Response from the ONS
Industry, produced by HBO and aired on the BBC, follows young investment bankers in London and has gained popularity in the UK and US since its debut in 2020. The ONS clarified that its interviewers follow strict protocols, including sending advance letters and carrying photo identification cards with verifiable authority numbers. Despite the criticism, no member of the public has reportedly mentioned the episode to the ONS directly.
Tierney has invited Davie and the BBC to meet with ONS interviewers to understand their "challenging and vital work." In a blogpost accompanying the letter, the ONS also humorously criticized the fashion choices in the show, noting that while field agents can choose their attire, they are unlikely to resemble flight attendants as depicted.
Broader Context and Industry Reactions
This incident occurs as the ONS faces scrutiny over data accuracy issues in statistics such as employment, GDP, and inflation, attributed to overstretched resources and declining survey responses. Some City economists expressed surprise at the ONS's focus, with Simon French, chief economist at Panmure Liberum, questioning the priority, given the show's generally unflattering portrayal of all characters, including City workers as "sex-mad, drug-peddling sociopaths."
The ONS's criticism highlights ongoing tensions between media portrayals and real-world impacts on public institutions, emphasizing the importance of accurate representation in maintaining trust and operational integrity.
