UK Office for Statistics Regulation to Decide on Data Release Timing

The United Kingdom Office for Statistics Regulation announced on Monday that it will decide in February next year whether the release of sensitive economic data before market hours should be discontinued in London following feedback from traders seeking changes to current practices.

Bank of England's SONIA Stakeholder Advisory Group underlined in the September meeting minutes that "A return to data releases within market hours supports real-time risk management and is consistent with international markets." The committee added that "Data releases outside of market hours can cause spreads to widen due to reduced liquidity."

Before the pandemic, data releases were scheduled for 9:30 am local time. Currently, they are published at 7:00 am in London, an hour before the London Stock Exchange opens.