Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics (SNS) is the Scottish Executive's on-going programme to improve the availability, consistency and accessibility of small area statistics. SNS has developed a wide range of socio-economic data sets on a new consistent statistical geography called data zones. SNS is being used to inform the Executive's approach to improving the quality of life for people living in Scotland and especially in the most disadvantaged areas. The information is invaluable to Community Planning Partnerships (there are 32 such partnerships across Scotland) where the availability of quality information is crucial to the way in which services are developed and delivered and issues of local concern are addressed. The presentation will cover background, data development, use of data and geography in policy, particularly illustrated by the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 2004.