Transparency data

Revisions and corrections policy

Published 22 April 2026

Purpose

All Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) official statistics are produced and published in line with the Code of Practice (the Code), regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation.

The framework for the Code of Practice for Statistics is based on 3 principles: 

• trustworthiness – having confidence in the people and organisations that produce statistics and data
• quality – using suitable data and appropriate methods that produce assured statistics
• value – producing statistics that benefit the public by informing and supporting decision making, action and debate

Trustworthiness includes standards on being transparent. This includes ensuring that we release revisions and corrections of errors transparently and as soon as possible, being clear about the nature and scale of change.

This document provides information on DWP policy in line with the Code on:

• revising statistics and corrections
• informing users when we make revisions and corrections to statistics

DWP aims to avoid the need for revisions to publications unless they are necessary. We have systems and processes in place to minimise the number of revisions that need to be made.

A “revision” is defined as any change to a public domain official statistic. A public domain release includes:

• releases via GOV.UK, Stat-Xplore and ODS tables
• releases via a direct question (for example, a Parliamentary Question or Freedom of Information request)

Within our statistical publications, there are 3 principal reasons why we might need to make revisions or changes to published official statistics. These changes can be divided into:

• scheduled revisions, which are part of the defined methodology for a particular series
• methodological changes that affect published numbers
• revision of errors in our statistical systems and processes

This policy statement describes how DWP will handle revisions and give confidence that all types of revision will be handled in a transparent manner.

Scheduled revisions

Scheduled revisions are built into the defined methodology of a statistical series. These might occur as part of the normal release practice for a given series:

• where initial or provisional estimates are released, which are always subsequently revised
• because of regular seasonal adjustment

Methodological changes

Sometimes, published series are subject to methodological change. This may happen when, for example, a data source or a methodology is improved and changes to historical numbers are significant enough that a revision of previously released tables is needed.

Revision of errors

DWP analysts perform extensive quality assurance on raw data and statistical releases prior to publication to minimise the possibility of these errors occurring, but occasionally an error slips through. In the rare case when an error occurs, we thoroughly investigate how it occurred and strengthen our processes where necessary. The DWP statement on quality management approach provides further information.

Key principles for handling revisions

Our general policy is to be transparent with users about the need for revisions, how and when to expect scheduled revisions and how these will be communicated.

For scheduled revisions:

Any official statistics outputs which are subject to scheduled revisions will contain a statement setting out how revisions will be handled.

Revisions will be either pre-announced in the statistic’s first release one publication cycle before the change is expected, or on the GOV.UK DWP statistics page at least 4 weeks in advance.

For major revisions, users will be able to understand the nature of the scheduled revision in advance and its likely impact on the statistics – the revision will be explained again in the release itself, when published.

In some cases, scheduled revisions will affect numbers that have been provided in Freedom of Information requests or Parliamentary Questions – these will not be revised as the original response will have flagged the later release of revised data.

For methodological changes and revision of errors

Any misleading or erroneous figures will be footnoted or removed and the nature and reason for the change and the likely impact will be explained.

We will announce the date for the release of revised numbers or our intention to change the methodology in advance.

The revised numbers will be released according to the pre-announced date, in compliance with the same principles as the original information.

For all revisions

Revisions will be assessed for disclosure risk before release, taking into account the possibility that some of the data in the revised output have already been released .

Revisions will be assessed to balance the benefits (in terms of quality and accuracy) against the costs (including both costs to government and data suppliers), taking into account the expected uses of the statistics.

Should we decide not to implement a particular revision, this will be noted in the next issue of the relevant publication, together with the reason for the decision.

Contact information

Contact DWP by email at statistics.hopsupport@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.