Four core positions in the UK economic decision-making body are vacant as several experts are concerned about politicization and low salaries and have declined the positions.

Notice that the British government is facing a challenge: it needs to simultaneously fill vacancies for the top four highest-ranking economic and statistical positions within the country. A series of crises has led to two senior vacancies within the UK statistical agencies, as well as a vacancy within the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). Additionally, Chancellor Rishi Sunak is also looking for a new chief economic advisor to replace the soon-to-retire Second Permanent Secretary, Sam Beckett. Due to a significant decline in the data standards of the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS), which has weakened public trust in data, the government has had to undergo a major restructuring of the top-level positions of public sector economists. Furthermore, just hours before Sunak delivered his budget speech last month, the UK also experienced an unprecedented data leak from the OBR. According to some individuals invited to apply, several potential candidates have declined invitations to take on the role of "National Statistician", and at least one person has declined to become the Chair of the OBR. Low salaries and the politicization of the positions are cited as key reasons for the refusals. Due to the sensitive nature of these matters, these individuals have requested to remain anonymous. The headhunting firm Saxton Bampfylde has been hired to find candidates for the National Statistician position, while Korn Ferry is responsible for recruiting the Chief Economic Advisor. An individual interviewed noted that filling all four positions simultaneously has made the recruitment process more complicated. They believe that if these positions were filled sequentially, more internal staff would have the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities. Simon French, Chief Economist at Panmure Liberum, pointed out that the low salary levels are becoming a hindrance, especially for the position of National Statistician. The public annual salary for the position is 200,000 (approximately $270,000), but applicants are required to have both statistical expertise and management skills to assist in the restructuring of the National Statistics office. Due to the unique challenges of UK economic statistical data, it is expected that an economist will take on this role for the first time. David Spiegelhalter, a leading statistician and Honorary Professor of Economics at the University of Cambridge, stated that he will not be applying. Martin Weale, a former Bank of England interest rate setter, is considered a potential candidate, but declined to comment when asked. Interviews for shortlisted candidates are expected to take place during the week of January 26th. The UK Statistics Authority is also searching for a new Chairperson, but the government has decided to postpone this process until a new National Statistician is appointed. The former Chair, Sir Robert Chote, stepped down earlier this year after a review of the failures of the National Statistics office. Jonathan Portes, Professor of Economics and Public Policy at King's College London, expressed interest in the position. He currently serves as the Chair of the UK Statistics Authority's Labour Market Statistics Advisory Group, a role that has become central to the crisis within the National Statistics office. The decision to hire Glaven International to find a senior economic advisor for Sunak indicates that the Chancellor is looking to recruit an external candidate. The salary for this Director-General level position is around 150,000. Richard Hughes, the former OBR Chair who resigned due to the budget leak incident, previously had a salary slightly higher than 200,000. Andy King, an expert partner at Flint Global and former OBR committee member, is a strong contender for this position.