We have about a thousand..that's roughly 999 too many in my book.

Simon.



-----Original Message-----

From: The Information and Records Management Society mailing list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lawrence Serewicz

Sent: 25 February 2014 15:12

To: [log in to unmask]

Subject: Re: How many boxes stored offsite in the UK?



Darren,

I would suggest that on average in the public sector local government there is going to be something from 1 box per 10 people to 1 box per 20 people.



Across the public sector, including central government, I would say that there is the equivalent of 1 box per 3 people.



There are several problems with the question in that most boxes are for historical cases, closed and just being held, i.e. adoption and asbestos. Second, electronic storage is growing so paper storage will stabilize and reduce to a set percentage.  I do not know if we are at the inflection point where we have more long term electronic storage than paper storage, but I would say we are closing in on it.  Also, paper records are being destroyed each day so it is never going to be a fixed number.



In a basic sense, there is (has to be) a file for every person. We are captured by, or perhaps are creatures of, the state. Will that information that the state requires and creates need a box? Probably not. Most people will require an entry on some registers and systems if they lead a life that intersects minimally with the state.  However, an adult that intersects with the state even minimally will, in their lifetime, have a number of records that need to be retained for a long period of time.



As the state becomes more comprehensive, it has to collect and process more personal data in a variety of ways.  1000+ years ago the Domesday book that contain a basic record of life in the UK as seen by the government.  Today, with the advent of the modern state, such a book is simply not possible.  Consider how many records the NHS requires and all the bureaucratic apparatuses that did not exist 1000 years ago, 200 years ago, or even 20 years ago.



I would be interested to know what you find out from your search.



Best,



Lawrence









-----Original Message-----

From: The Information and Records Management Society mailing list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Darren Short

Sent: 24 February 2014 10:24

To: [log in to unmask]

Subject: How many boxes stored offsite in the UK?



Hi,



This is a bit of a crazy question for a monday morning but I thought I might ask it of the group.



Has anyone ever considered or seen any estimate for the total number of boxes of records that are stored with offsite storage providers in the United Kingdom?



Is any such calculation even feasible, especially as I would imagine business's may be sensitive to announcing how big there paper tail is and providers due to their wish to protect their commercial details.



Any comments welcome :)



Kind Regards,



Darren.



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