1. 3.3 Modernisation of Social Statistics
DSS Meeting September 2012

2. Integrated System of Social Surveys
Previous activities (EPSS): streamlining of supporting instruments
Common framework legislation
Common approach to financial support
Common programming
Current activities: substance matter integration via modularisation
Splitting into modules: criteria for modularisation, example of AES
Recomposing modules:
What: user consultation on crossings between topics, subpopulations, need for a longitudinal component
How: Methodological studies on sampling design and estimation in survey systems based on partial sample overlaps

3. Integrated System of Social Surveys: next steps
For DSS in spring 2013:
Splitting all social surveys into modules (taking into account developments as regards LFS, SILC and other social surveys)
Identify the variables/modules repeated in several social surveys
Identify desirable joint distributions
Until end 2013:
Developing scenarios for integration
Developing pilots for testing at national level
Preparing proposals for harmonisation of first set of concepts/ modules

4. Statistical data matching
Assessing the feasibility of using EQLS & ESS for providing cross- cutting information on quality of life (finalised)
Complementing regional estimates for poverty and health indicators by small area estimations (finalised)
Assessing the quality of the wage information collected in LFS and studying the feasibility of enhancing this information with SILC matched wages (ongoing)
Producing integrated statistics on income, consumption and wealth based on SILC, HBS and HFCS (ongoing)
General conclusion: ex post matching faces several challenges  opportunities arise from statistical matching that is planned ex ante

5. Other strands of work LFS and SILC review
Multimode data collection: Kick-off meeting of ESSnet (DE – DK, NL, FI, UK, NO) scheduled for October 2012
Re-use of existing data for statistical purposes: see ESS VIP Administrative data
Development of reliable and up-to-date sampling frames Presentation given to Conference of European statisticians in the framework of the seminar on challenges for future population and housing censuses

6. Governance and communication structure
Strategic level
DSS (all Member States)
SDG (subgroup to provide strategic orientation for entire modernisation programme)
Technical level
Technical Group (all Member States)
Coordination of modernisation activities, cross-cutting issues
Expert Group on Streamlining Social Surveys

7. Issues for discussion Completeness of modernisation project
Orientation of ongoing work
Desirability of technical group to be created