questions about economic statistics

Economic stastistics are easily available, such as unemployment, inflation, productivity etc. I am just not sure how reliable or usefull they are.

Does the govenment manipulate the statistics on things like inflation to mislead people into thinking things are better than they are? Many people seem to believe so. If this is true, is there any value in analysis of them?

Its worth taking heed that most UK economic statisitics are bleak.

One of the few growing industries in the US. :whistling

Hence this site.

Shadow Government Statistics - Home Page

Similiar in the UK, think inflation and unemployment. But not so blatant.