Major changes to DWP National Statistics
Modernising DWP statistics
The Department for Work and Pensions will soon be making major changes to the National Statistics which it publishes, both in the data sources employed and methods of delivery. The Department has published a National Statistics Paper outlining the new methodology and explaining the differences between the new and old publications. The document can be downloaded below. The forthcoming changes will switch many of the regular DWP benefit publications to a new 100% administrative data source, the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS), which offers substantial advantages over the 5% sample data currently used. The most innovative feature of the WPLS will be its unprecedented capacity to link claims over time between benefits, employment schemes and employment. As part of these changes, DWP are introducing a new statistical group classification based on the benefits or combinations of benefits which clients receive. A further important change is that in summer 2005, DWP will begin releasing aggregate statistics using a new Internet tabulation tool. The tabulation tool will enable users to download bespoke tabulations, designed to their specific needs. A consultation ran from 14 June 2004 to 30 July 2004. This consultation is now closed. The results of the consultation and a response to the results have been published and can be downloaded below. The original consultation document can also be downloaded, along with the National Statistics Paper outlining the planned changes. -
