Consultation outcome: changes to DWP benefit statistics release schedules and frequency
Updated 19 June 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/dwp-administrative-based-benefit-statistics-proposed-changes-to-scheduling-and-frequency-of-releases/outcome/consultation-outcome-changes-to-dwp-benefit-statistics-release-schedules-and-frequency
Summary
The consultation ran from 17 February 2026 to 12 May 2026 (31 March 2026 for proposal 1), and responses have been reviewed in line with the standards of the Code of Practice for Statistics.
Feedback from a range of users did not identify a public need for information that would preclude a reduction in frequency of statistics within scope of the consultation, and for Housing Benefit Speed of Processing and Housing Benefit Debt Recovery statistics, to cease publication.
No changes to frequency of any other statistical series are planned as a result of this consultation although wider feedback from stakeholders during the consultation has been taken on board regarding coherence of publication dates for thematically linked releases, and regarding the name of a release to more fully reflect the statistical content. Taken together, these changes improve the coherence and sustainability of the department’s benefits statistics portfolio. Consolidating some outputs into a single, well-timed annual release, while maintaining higher-priority statistics at their current frequency, protects the integrity and overall coverage of published statistics.
Aligning reporting periods for these specific statistics bulletins to financial year and bringing related statistical releases – including DWP Benefits statistics, Benefit Combinations and National insurance number allocations to overseas nationals statistics (NINo) – together on a single release date improves clarity, comparability and accessibility for users, and supports effective scrutiny of departmental activity and accountability.
These reductions also support a more sustainable use of statistical resource, strengthening our ability to deliver robust, high-quality statistics in line with Trustworthiness, Quality and Value, and creating capacity to support future statistical developments and the department’s significant Digital long-term programmes of data platform transformation activity planned over the coming years, and supporting future efficiencies under DWP 2030.
Responses were received from Central Government (including Department for Education), Local Authorities/Combined Authorities, Professional bodies: Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy, and Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation, and Charities and independent analysts.
Background
A public consultation on proposed changes to the scheduling, alignment and frequency of a number of DWP Official Statistics releases concluded on 12 May 2026. The consultation covered a range of statistical releases, including Universal Credit, DWP Benefits statistics and Benefit Combinations statistics, Housing Benefit Speed of Processing and Debt Recovery statistics, and NINo Allocations to Adult Overseas Nationals Entering the UK statistics.
This consultation set out the rationale for each proposed change and invited feedback from users. The proposals covered statistical releases on GOV.UK and their corresponding datasets either on Stat-Xplore or supplementary ODS (OpenDocument Spreadsheet) tables. All previously published Official Statistics will remain available to users to support continuity of analysis.
We will communicate the change to users ahead of implementation, including clear information on new publication schedules and any changes to content. We will also communicate directly with key stakeholders identified through the consultation. To support users who rely on higher-frequency data, we will provide advance notice of changes and clear information on revised timetables and reference periods.
The proposals are underpinned by the principles of the UK Statistics Authority’s Code of Practice for Statistics, ensuring that outputs continue to demonstrate trustworthiness, uphold quality and deliver value to users. The rationale for these proposals is grounded in a set of strategic drivers that align closely with the ambitions of the DWP 2030 Strategy. As the department moves forward with major reforms – including the child poverty strategy, transformation of health and disability benefits, and changes to pension provision – it is essential that our Official Statistics evolve at the same time.
These drivers reflect the need to ensure our outputs remain relevant, coherent, and sustainable in a changing policy and operational landscape, while also supporting the department’s broader goals around digital transformation, efficiency, and user-centred delivery.
What happens next?
All proposals will be progressed and notified through the Statistical Work Programme. This approach adheres to the UK Statistics Authority’s Code of Practice for Statistics. Changes to publication schedules will also be communicated via the upcoming statistics in the statistical release calendar
We will also continue to monitor user need for these statistics through routine engagement and feedback channels and. If new or unmet needs emerge, we will keep these decisions under review.
Users can continue to use the following channels to raise issues or concerns:
by email to: benefits.statistics@dwp.gov.uk
by email to: stat.xplore@dwp.gov.uk
or in writing to:
QBS Team
Finance Group
Department for Work and Pensions
BP5301 Dunstanburgh House
Benton Park View Benton Park Road
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE98 1YX
Proposal 1 outcome: Universal Credit statistics
The consultation sought views on proposed changes to move UC Official Statistics from a monthly to a quarterly publication cycle, remove provisional estimates, and align reference periods across statistical series. These changes were intended to provide users with a clearer, more coherent, and fully finalised picture of UC statistics.
Outcome
The UC Official Statistics team has reviewed all feedback received during the consultation period and it has been decided to proceed with the proposed changes.
The final monthly release of UC statistics on Stat-Xplore was on 14 April 2026.
From 12 May 2026, the following changes are now in place:
1. Access to monthly data
Statistics are now only released on a quarterly basis each May, August, November, and February in line with the existing UC statistics quarterly schedule. Each quarterly release includes a further 3 months of data for each measure, accompanied by a statistical bulletin. Individual month data points, will continue to be available via Stat-Xplore, however only released at quarterly intervals accompanying the quarterly bulletin. To confirm, there will no longer be monthly publication of UC Official Statistics on Stat-Xplore.
2. Alignment of statistical series
UC statistical series have been brought into improved sequencing alignment, using consistent reference points as follows:
| UCOS Dataset | previous May 2026 release plan | published May 2026 release |
|---|---|---|
| Claims made to UC | Data up to April 2026 | Finalised data up to February 2026 |
| Starts to UC | Data up to April 2026 | Finalised data up to February 2026 |
| People on UC | Provisional April 2026 data, finalised March 2026 data | Finalised data up to February 2026 |
| Households on UC | Data up to February 2026 | Finalised data up to February 2026 |
This has led to an additional 2-month time lag for the UC claims, starts, and people series.
3. Removal of provisional estimates
Provisional monthly estimates have been removed, reducing the need for frequent revisions and providing users with more robust, finalised UC Official Statistics.
These changes improve consistency and clarity by aligning reference periods across all UC statistical series, making the statistics easier to interpret and compare. They also align with DWP’s strategic approach to statistics and will allow analytical resource to be redirected towards priority UC statistical developments, delivering greater value for users.
For further information or queries, please contact: team.ucos@dwp.gov.uk
Proposal 2 outcome: DWP Benefits Statistics and Benefit Combination Statistics
Following consideration of consultation feedback and further internal engagement, DWP Benefits Statistics and Benefit Combinations Statistics will move to a single annual statistical release including annual release of statistical data on Stat-Xplore with a name that reflects this status - Annual DWP Benefits Statistics Compendium.
The DWP Benefits statistics release is a compendium publication providing a broad, high-level overview of caseloads across the full range of DWP benefits. It brings together information spanning individual benefits – including Universal Credit, State Pension, disability benefits, working-age benefits, and pensioner benefits – as well as benefit combinations, into a single, coherent statistical output covering the overall benefit landscape. It is distinct from the department’s routine, more detailed statistical releases for specific benefits (including Universal Credit and dedicated health and disability statistical releases, which are not affected by these proposals). Benefit Combinations is a core part of this release, providing a person-centred view of the number of individuals claiming at least one benefit as well as the number of claimants for each combination of benefits.
Under this approach, these statistics will be published annually on the third Tuesday in September, covering data to the end of the previous March, representing the financial year. The release will also be renamed the Annual DWP Benefits Statistics Compendium. This change applies to the full Official Statistics release (including the GOV.UK statistical bulletin, ODS tables and accompanying statistical datasets on Stat-Xplore), which will move to an annual publication cycle. While quarterly data points will continue to be produced, preserving the existing historical record, these will be released as part of the annual publication.
The September publication date provides sufficient reporting lag to support robust production and assurance of annual figures, while maintaining coherence by aligning with related releases for example, Winter Fuel Payment Statistics. The timing also supports the Autumn Budget and precedes the main party conference period.
Consultation feedback was reviewed alongside internal stakeholder engagement. Overall, responses emphasised the importance and value of DWP Benefits statistics for policy analysis, accountability and understanding caseload trends. Some respondents, particularly local authority users, expressed a preference for frequent data to support local and internal operational or analytical activity; however, these uses relate primarily to operational monitoring (typically better served by their existing local management information) rather than indicating a public-critical requirement for higher-frequency Official Statistics.
Proposal 3 outcome: Housing Benefit speed of processing
Following consideration of consultation feedback and further internal engagement, we will cease the Housing Benefit Speed of Processing statistics. This reflects the approach set out in the public consultation, where we asked primarily if there was an ongoing public need for this statistical series, ahead of consulting on the frequency. However, feedback received did not establish an ongoing public need sufficient to justify continuing the publication.
Under this approach, the statistics will be released for the final time on 29 July 2026, covering data for quarter 4 financial year ending 2026.
Consultation feedback was reviewed in full alongside internal stakeholder engagement. Response from stakeholders confirmed that data are used for internal purposes, for example benchmarking against national and regional comparators. These uses relate primarily to operational monitoring, which is already better supported by available local authority management information and underlying administrative data available within the department, rather than indicating a public-critical requirement for continued publication as Official Statistics. Assessment against the Code of Practice for Statistics indicates this does not provide sufficient justification for continued publication.
HB caseload statistics will continue to be delivered within the DWP Benefits Statistics release.
Proposal 4 outcome: Housing Benefit Debt Recovery
Following consideration of consultation feedback and further internal engagement, we will cease the Housing Benefit Debt Recovery statistics. This reflects the approach set out in the public consultation, where we asked primarily if there was an ongoing public need for this statistical series, ahead of consulting on the frequency. Feedback did not establish an ongoing public need sufficient to justify continued publication. Under this approach, the statistics will be released for the final time on 2 September 2026, covering data for the financial year ending 2026.
Consultation feedback was reviewed in full alongside internal stakeholder engagement. Responses from stakeholders confirmed that the data are used internally to monitor the amounts of debt outstanding, recovered and written off. The uses relate primarily to operational monitoring, which is already better supported by available local authority management information and underlying administrative data held within the department, rather than indicating a public-critical requirement for publication as Official Statistics. Assessment against the Code of Practice for Statistics indicates this does not provide sufficient justification for continued external publication.
HB caseload statistics will continue to be delivered within the DWP Benefits Statistics release.
Proposal 5 outcome: National Insurance numbers allocated to non-UK overseas nationals
Following consideration of consultation feedback and further internal engagement, the National insurance number (NINo) statistics will move to an annual release.
Under this approach, the statistics will be published annually on the third Tuesday in September, covering data to the end of the previous March representative of the financial year. Aligning the NINo statistics release dates and financial year reporting periods with other DWP benefit statistics will result in an additional 3 month lag. Given no feedback was received on timing dependencies and taking into account the benefits of coherence with other annual statistical releases, it was decided that the value of coherence outweighed that of lag. It will also better support more sustainable statistical publication processes going forward.
This change applies to the full Official Statistics release, including the statistical bulletin and data published via Stat-Xplore, which will move to an annual publication cycle. The new release schedule will bring greater coherence with the annual reporting set out above for DWP benefit statistics.
It will also serve to distinguish the publication from the wider suite of migration statistics where the publication dates are currently aligned. The NINo statistics are not a measure of migration and publishing on the same date as wider migration statistics in the past has often meant caused misinterpretation of the data. Accordingly, moving the date of annual release of these statistics will help reinforce the intended value of these statistics.
As data up to March 2026 (covering the whole of Financial Year 2025 to 2026) has already been published in May 2026, upon moving to annual scheduling, the next release of these statistics for data to Financial Year 2026 to 2027 will be September 2027. There will be no release in August 2026 release. The statistics will continue to be published in the same format, and users will still be able to table quarterly and annual breakdowns via Stat-Xplore.
Consultation feedback was reviewed in full alongside internal stakeholder engagement. Overall, feedback was very limited. Assessment against the Code of Practice for Statistics indicates that an annual publication continues to meet the identified internal and public needs, with no requirement for more frequent releases.
We have engaged with key users and stakeholders across government, including Office for National Statistics (ONS), Home Office and HMRC, as well as the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. No concerns or dependencies were identified. We have also worked closely with ONS to ensure that existing data flows supporting their long-term international migration estimates will continue unaffected.
Finally, we have consulted in depth with the DWP NINo operational team regarding the changes. The team already have a separate monthly data source for management information which they use for operational purposes, therefore are not reliant on our published data. The only comments related to the answering of Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and Freedom of Information (FOIs) requests. These changes do not affect the manner in which PQs and FOIs are answered on this topic. We therefore did not identify any requirement or objection from the public, wider migration statistics producers or other government departments regarding the change in frequency and release date.
Other changes arising from the Consultation
Whilst not explicitly covered in the proposals, our assessment of feedback means we also plan to change the name of the Universal Credit Work Capability Assessment statistics to Universal Credit Health statistics from September 2026 to more fully encompass the breadth of statistics within this publication. From September 2026, we will also change the quarterly publication release date for these statistics and for the Employment and Support Allowance Work Capability Assessment statistics to bring greater coherence to statistics by aligning their publication dates to Personal Independence Payment statistics to the same day, third Tuesday of the month of quarterly release. This represents no change to the Personal Independence Payment publication date, but is three working days further lag for the other releases. No issues have been identified in this minor timing adjustment, and the rationale of coherence of linked statistical releases strongly supports this change in timing of release.