ONS 2014-based SNPP: Consultation response

This document forms the GLA Intelligence Unit’s response to ONS’s consultation on the 2014-based Subnational Population Projections (SNPP). Details of the consultation process and the accompanying documentation are available on the ONS website. ONS have requested feedback on a number of specific points regarding their projection outputs, including: the format and range of outputs, demand for variant projections, and possible changes to the frequency with which projections are published.

The SNPP forms the official projection of population for local authorities in England. Each set of subnational population projections forms the basis for an equivalent set of household projections, produced by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). National Planning Policy Guidance states that these household projections should form the starting point for assessments of housing need used in local plans. It is therefore critical that the SNPP is based on sound methodology, and is accompanied by the necessary documentation and supporting outputs to inform interpretation of the results by users.