Foreword -- Summary -- Introduction -- User and uses of house price statistics -- Challenges in measuring house prices -- Current house price statistics -- What should a definitive offical house price index seek to measure? -- Framework for a definitive official house price measure -- How well do current statistics meet user need -- Recommendations -- References -- Annexes

Findings and recommendations of Stage one of a two stage review by the UK National Statistican's review of house price statistics. Stage one examines the current house price statistics produced by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and Land Registry and identifies improvements that can be made to the official house price statistics to better meet user needs including joint reports and inclusion of a headline house price index. Stage two will review the range on non-official housing market indicators available.

The National Statistician is seeking to publish a statement before Easter 2011 on the extent to which the user requirements for house price statistics can be met by official statistics producers. This will accompany a report of progress with the development of a single official statistics report on the housing market and a report on the second stage of the review on wider housing market statistics.

The National Statistician welcomes comments by end February 2011 on the forward strategy for official house price statistics as set out in the report. Comments can be provided via email to [email protected].