14 June 2004 - DWP propose changes to National Statistics publications
Today the Department for Work and Pensions launch an external consultation to change the face of their publications about benefit and programme statistics.
The proposals focus around the newly developed Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study, announced in December 2003, which links information currently held by DWP with data from the Inland Revenue on employment.
The new style publications will allow the DWP to improve the evaluation of their policies and make data accessible to all of their customers.
DWP benefit statistics are currently published on a quarterly basis, largely based on 5 percent data samples from the administrative systems (New Deal statistics are based on 100 per cent sample data). Information is published about benefit claimants, the average amounts of benefit in payment, some cross-benefit analysis and geographical breakdowns.
The Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS), developed by the DWP, draws together 100 percent sample data for benefits, welfare to work schemes, Tax Credits and Inland Revenue employment data.
The DWP is proposing to use this data source to modernise most National Statistics publications. The WPLS allows DWP to calculate the number of customers flowing through the benefit and welfare to work system. For the first time, it will be possible to quantify the movements of DWP clients into employment, using administrative data.
In line with National Statistics protocols, from 14th June 2004 DWP are consulting with external customers to ensure openness and to encourage users to feed into the modernisation. This consultation will last for seven weeks, until 30 July 2004.
Information available for the consultation can be found on our website at:
www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/stats_consultation/stats_consultation.asp
Responses can be sent directly through the consultation e-mail address:
stats-consultation@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
This modernisation will allow DWP to improve the statistics available about Departmental activities and will increase the quality of analysis available to inform DWP policies.
For further information contact:
Catherine Edwards
IAD Information Centre
Department for Work and Pensions
Room BP5 2 01
Benton Park View
Benton Park Road
Longbenton
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
NE98 1YXTelephone: 0191 225 3012
Facsimile: 0191 225 3193
Email: catherine.edwards@dwp.gsi.gov.uk