Guidance

Estimates of the separated family population experimental statistics: statistical notice

Updated 5 March 2019

The Department for Work and Pensions have withdrawn the first publication in the estimates of the separated family population experimental statistics series and will release a new publication in the same series. The reasons for this are explained below.

We reviewed how we calculated and presented these statistics and found some issues with the data we used and some of the assumptions that were made. We have therefore decided to withdraw these statistics and are working to produce an improved and updated publication. The new publication will include an explanation of the changes we have made and a 3-year time series to help put the latest figures in context.

We announced in the Department for Work and Pensions single departmental plan that we would publish an indicator based on an updated version of these statistics by the end of 2018.

The additional work required to resolve the issues with the methodology and produce the time series means the release date for the statistics will be later than originally intended and is now expected to be in April to May 2019.

The statistics are being developed using guidelines set out by the UK Statistics Authority and are new official statistics undergoing development. They have therefore been designated as experimental statistics.

We plan to publish these statistics annually and to develop them with reference to user feedback.

Users are invited to send feedback on the development and relevance of the statistics to: cm.analysis.research@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.

Issued by:

Child Maintenance Strategy & Policy Analysis Team
Department for Work and Pensions
Caxton House
Tothill Street
London
SW1H 9NA

Press Office: 020 3267 5144