Office for National Statistics

payrollpro

I am busy completing an ONS survey for a client and noticed a bizarre definition of the term Great Britain.

Does everyone know that GB, according to ONS, now consists only of England, Scotland and Wales?

Have I missed something or has Northern Ireland suddenly disappeared, been given away to someone or what?

Anyone else noticed this completely and utterly weird change to the country?

Payrollpro

jilt

Have a look here http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/britain/britain.htm

Was surprised myself but it does make sense

deanshepherd

Northern Ireland has never been part of Great Britain. To give the UK it's full name it is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

payrollpro

Thanks jilt and Dean, so we really are a pretty stupid nation, GB doesn't include Northern Ireland, our flag has no reference to Wales and the people of England don't have their own parliament! United Europe, perhaps a United Kingdom would be a good start, has anyone ever thought of doing that?

deanshepherd

Ah, but then we would lose our 7 Champions League places and four World Cup teams!

Monsoon

I thought GB was England, Scotland and Wales, and the UK included NI.

I learnded it in my ATT law book, I dids!