Guidance

Universal Credit Official Statistics: Stat-Xplore User Guide

Published 15 July 2024

1. Introduction

The Universal Credit Official Statistics (UCOS) Stat-Xplore database provides information on Claims made to Universal Credit, Starts to Universal Credit, People on Universal Credit, and Households on Universal Credit for Great Britain.

Information on the Claims made to Universal Credit and Starts to Universal Credit is available from May 2013 and currently published quarterly. Information about People on Universal Credit (caseload) is available from May 2013 and currently published monthly. Information on Households on Universal Credit is available from August 2015 and currently published quarterly.

The accompanying published Universal Credit official statistics based on this data can be found here Universal Credit statistics. An interactive dashboard of the latest Universal Credit Households statistics broken down by region can be found here interactive dashboard.

Please email team.ucos@dwp.gov.uk with comments and suggestions.

2. What is Stat-Xplore?

Stat-Xplore is DWP’s online dissemination tool and database platform that provides a guided way to explore DWP benefit statistics. With this tool, users can access DWP datasets to create their own analysis. Users can create customised tabulations, view results in interactive charts and share outputs via social networking tools or download data into common file formats.

3. Breakdowns Available

The 4 Universal Credit datasets contain the following breakdowns:

a. Claims Made to Universal Credit Dataset

Measures

The count of Claims made to Universal Credit.

Time Period (Month, Weeks)

The weekly and monthly number of Claims made to Universal Credit.

Geography (Postcode Area)

Postcode areas are formed from the first part of a postcode and are always either one or two letters long e.g., in the postcode S3 7UF, S is the postcode area. While if the postcode is NR32 1AB, then NR is the postcode area.

The image (Figure 1) below is a screenshot of the user interface for the Claims made to Universal Credit dataset. The screen is divided into two sections. The left section contains the fields of the Claims to Universal Credit dataset. The fields are described above and highlighted in red in the screenshot. Three field options are available for the Claims made to Universal Credit dataset. The first option at the top is Measures. The option directly below Measures is Time Period (Month, Weeks). The last option at the base of the fields is Geography (Postcode Area).

Figure 1: User Interface Showing Claims made to Universal Credit Dataset

b. Starts to Universal Credit Dataset

Measures

The count of Starts to Universal Credit.

Month

The number of individuals who have completed the Universal Credit claim process and accepted their Claimant Commitment by the count date.

Geography (Jobcentre Plus)

Jobcentre Plus geography consists of three levels (District, Group, and Area) that are based on the Jobcentre Plus office which administers the Universal Credit claim.

Geography (postcode)

Postcode areas are formed from the first part of a postcode and are always either one or two letters long e.g., in the postcode S3 7UF, S is the postcode area. While if the postcode is NR32 1AB, then NR is the postcode area.

Age (bands and single year)

Age is recorded in years and derived from the date of birth of the main claimant.

Gender

Gender is as recorded in the Universal Credit Full Service or Customer Information System databases.

The image (Figure 2) below is a screenshot of the user interface for Starts to Universal Credit dataset. The screen is divided into two sections. The left section contains the fields of the Starts to Universal Credit dataset. The fields are described above and highlighted in red in the screenshot. Six field options are available for the Starts to Universal Credit dataset. The first option at the top is Measures. The option directly below Measures is Month. The option located beneath Month is Geography (Jobcentre plus). The option below Geography (Jobcentre Plus) is Geography-postcode. The option located beneath Geography (postcode) is Age (bands and single year). The last option at the base of the fields is Gender.

Figure 2: User Interface Showing Starts to Universal Credit Dataset

c. People on Universal Credit Dataset

Measures

The count of People on Universal Credit.

Month

The monthly number of People on Universal Credit includes all individuals who have an open claim on the count date for that month.

Geography (Jobcentre Plus)

Jobcentre Plus geography consists of three levels (District, Group, and Area) that are based on the Jobcentre Plus office which administers the Universal Credit claim.

Geography (Residence-based)

Residence-based geography breakdowns include Great Britain, Country, Region, Local Authority, Middle Layer Super Output Area, Lower Layer Super Output Area, Census Output Area. Breakdowns by Ward and Westminster Parliamentary Constituency are also included.

Geography (Postcode Area and District)

Postcode geography is available at area and district levels. Postcode areas are formed from the first part of a postcode and are always either one or two letters long e.g., in the postcode S3 7UF, S is the postcode area. While if the postcode is NR32 1AB, then NR is the postcode area. Postcode districts are formed from first two parts of a postcode the second part of a postcode and include the postcode area plus the following digits e.g., S3 is the postcode district for S3 7UF and NR32 is the postcode district for NR32 1AB.

Age (bands and single year)

Age is recorded in years and derived from the date of birth of the main claimant.

Conditionality Regime

Conditionality means those work-related activities a claimant will have to do to get full entitlement to Universal Credit. Each person is assigned one of six conditionality regimes based on their individually assessed capability and circumstances.

Duration

The duration of an individual’s current claim is calculated using the difference between the dates the claimant signed their claimant commitment and the count date.

Employment indicator

Employment indicator categorises claimants by people who are either in or out of employment.

Gender

Gender is as recorded in the Universal Credit Full Service or Customer Information System databases.

The image (Figure 3) below represents the user interface for the People on Universal Credit dataset. The screen is divided into two sections. The left section contains the fields of the People on Universal Credit dataset. The fields are described above and highlighted in red in the screenshot. Ten field options are available for the People on Universal Credit dataset. The first option at the top is Measure. The option directly below Measures is Month. The option located beneath Month is Geography (Jobcentre plus). The option below Geography (Jobcentre plus) is Geography (Residence-based). The option below Geography (Residence-based) is Geography (postcode). Located beneath Geography (postcode) is Age (bands and single year). The option located below Age (bands and single year) is Conditionality Regime. The option beneath conditionality regime is Duration. The option directly below Duration is Employment indicator. The last option at the base of the fields is Gender.

Figure 3: User Interface Showing People on Universal Credit Dataset

d. Households on Universal Credit Dataset

Measure

The Stat-Xplore Households database contains three measures - the count of Universal Credit households, the average (mean) monthly award amounts, and the average (mean) RSRS reduction amount. A table must contain at least one of these measures.

Month

The number of households receiving Universal Credit for each month is defined as the number of households that have an assessment period that spans the count date for that month.

Geography (residence-based)

Residence-based geography breakdowns is based on the address of the claimant and include Great Britain, Country, Region, Local Authority, Middle Layer Super Output Area, Lower Layer Super Output Area, Census Output Area, Breakdowns by Ward, and Westminster Parliamentary Constituency are also included.

Geography (Jobcentre Plus)

Jobcentre Plus geography consists of three levels (District, Group, Area) that are based on the Jobcentre Plus office which administers the Universal Credit claim.

Geography (post-code)

Postcode geography is available at area and district levels. Postcode areas are formed from the first part of a postcode and are always either one or two letters long e.g., in the postcode S3 7UF, S is the postcode area. While if the postcode is NR32 1AB, then NR is the postcode area. Postcode districts are formed from first two parts of a postcode the second part of a postcode and include the postcode area plus the following digits e.g., S3 is the postcode district for S3 7UF and NR32 is the postcode district for NR32 1AB.

Family Type

Family type defines whether the household comprises of a single person or a couple, with or without children.

Children in Universal Credit Households

This field includes all children or young people declared as living in a household on Universal Credit who are under 20 and whose details have been verified by DWP.

Payment Indicator

Payment indicator refers only to those households who have had a Universal Credit award amount calculated. 

Monthly Award Amount (bands)

Award amount figures relating to the amount received, not the household entitlement.

Universal Credit Entitlement

Universal Credit entitlement broken down into Carer Entitlements, Child Entitlements, Disable Child Entitlement, Housing Entitlements, Limited Capability for Work Entitlement.

Alternative Payment Arrangements

This field includes managed Payments to Landlord, More Frequent Payment, and Split Payment.

Universal Credit Scottish Choices

This field Includes Scottish Choices Direct Payment to Landlord and Scottish Choices More Frequent Payment.

Payment Timeliness

The Payment Timeliness indicator shows the proportion of households that received either full or partial payment on time. It is broken down to show all claims and just new claims.

Removal of spare room subsidy

When claimants receive a housing element as part of their Universal Credit entitlement, there may be a reduction to their standard entitlement due to the ‘removal of the spare room subsidy’ (RSRS).

Local Housing Allowance

This field contains the Local Housing Allowance indicator and the Broad rental market area. The Local Housing Allowance indicator shows whether the Local Housing Allowance fully covers the household rent. For Universal Credit claimants living in private rented accommodation, the amount of Housing element they receive is based on the local housing allowance in their broad rental market area (BRMA).

The image (Figure 4) below represents the user interface for the Households on Universal Credit dataset. The screen is divided into two sections. The left section contains the fields of the Households on Universal Credit dataset. The fields are described above and highlighted in red in the screenshot. Fifteen field options are available for the Households on Universal Credit dataset. The first option at the top is Measure. Directly below Measures is Month. Located beneath Month is Geography (Residence-based). The option below Geography (Residence-based) is Geography (Jobcentre plus). The option below Geography (Jobcentre plus) is Geography (postcode). The option located beneath Geography (postcode) is Family Type. The option situated beneath Family Type is Children in Universal Credit Households. The option below Children in Universal Credit Households is Payment Indicator. The option directly below Payment Indicator is Monthly Award Amount (bands). The option located beneath Monthly Award Amount (bands) is Universal Credit Entitlement. The option directly below Universal Credit Entitlement is Universal Credit Scottish Choices. The option below Universal Credit Scottish Choices is Payment Timeliness. The option located beneath Payment Timeliness is Removal of spare room subsidy. The last option at the base of the field is Local Housing Allowance.

Figure 4: User Interface Showing Households on Universal Credit Dataset

4. How to Access Universal Credit Official Statistics on Stat-Xplore 

For information on how to get started using Stat-Xplore please visit the general Stat-Xplore User Guide

Once you have completed the ‘Getting Started’ section, to access Universal Credit Official Statistics, select ‘Universal Credit’ from the options on the left-hand side. Then either click on Universal Credit datasets and then double click a ready-made table or double click a Universal Credit dataset to start creating your own analysis.

The image (Figure 5) below represents Stat-Xplore user interface for Universal Credit datasets. The screen is divided into three sections. In the first section, we have highlighted the Universal Credit datasets in red and selected the Households on Universal Credit dataset. The second section shows the list of the ready-made tables for the Households on Universal Credit dataset (highlighted in red).

Figure 5: User Interface Showing Universal Credit Datasets with Households on Universal Credit Dataset Selected and Households Ready-Made Tables Highlighted

5. Universal Credit Official Statistics Ready-Made Tables

The Universal Credit Official Statistics ready-made tables offer a quick route to access pre-made analysis on frequently used aspects of the data.

The following ready-made tables are available:

a. Claims Made to Universal Credit

UC Claims 1 – Postcode Area

A breakdown of Claims made to Universal Credit, categorised by postcode area for most recent months.

b. Starts to Universal Credit

UC Starts 1 – Jobcentre Plus District

A breakdown of the number of Starts to the Universal Credit, categorised by Jobcentre Plus for the most recent months.

UC Starts 2 – Age by Gender

A breakdown of the number of Starts to Universal Credit, categorised by age band and gender for the most recent months.

c. People on Universal Credit

UC People 1 – Conditionality

A breakdown of the number of People on Universal Credit, categorised by conditional regime, for the most recent months.

UC People 2 – Employment Status by Age

A breakdown of the number of People on Universal Credit categorised age bands and employment indicator, for the most recent months.

UC People 3 – Employment Status by Gender

A breakdown of the number of People on Universal Credit, categorised by employment status and gender, for the most recent months.

UC People 4 – Local Authority by Employment Status

A breakdown of the number of People on Universal Credit, categorised by the local authority and employment status for the revised month.

UC People 5 – Jobcentre Plus District

A breakdown of the number of People on Universal Credit, categorised by Jobcentre Plus for the two most recent months.

UC People 6 – Postcode Area

A breakdown of the number of People on Universal Credit, categorised by post code area for the two most recent months.

UC People 7 – Westminster Parliamentary Constituency by Employment Status

A breakdown of the number of People on Universal Credit, categorised by Westminster constituencies and employment indicator for the revised month.

d. Households on Universal Credit

UC Households 1 – Month by Family Type

A breakdown of the total number of Households on Universal Credit receiving payment, categorised by family type, for the most recent months.

UC Households 2 – Month by Family Type

Average Award for Households in Payment – Mean-payment breakdown of Households on Universal Credit, categorised by family type, for the most recent months.

UC Households 3 – Month by Housing Entitlement

A breakdown of the total number of Households on Universal Credit receiving payment, categorised by housing tenure, for the most recent months.

UC Households 4 – Local Authority

A breakdown of the total number of Households on Universal Credit receiving payment, categorised local authority, for the most recent months.

UC Households 5 – Payment Timeliness All Claims

A breakdown of proportion of all Households on Universal Credit that received or didn’t receive their payments ‘on time’, for the most recent months. These statistics only apply to claimants on full service.

UC Households 6 – Payment Timeliness New Claims

A breakdown of proportion of new Household claimants on Universal Credit that received or did not receive their payments ‘on time’, for the most recent months. These statistics only apply to claimants on full service.

UC Households 7 – Children in Universal Credit households

A breakdown of the number of children per household, receiving Universal Credit payment, categorised by number of children, for the most recent months.

6. Example of a Ready-Made Table

This example uses the ready-made table UC Household 1 – Month by Family Type (A breakdown of the total number of Households on Universal Credit receiving payment, categorised by family type, for the most recent months).

Below is a screenshot (Figure 6) of what you will see when you click on the table (UC Household 1 – Month by Family Type). In the screenshot, the selected ready-made table is highlighted in red. We have also highlighted the ‘Go’ button located at the top right corner of the screen, which allows you to download the selected table in various formats.

Figure 6: User Interface Showing ‘UC Household 1 – Month by Family Type’ Ready-Made Table and the ‘Go’ Button

From here you can customize the table further to suit your needs. How to do this is explained in section User Defined Analysis. 

The user can also choose to export the table to Microsoft Excel by clicking the ‘Go’ button at the top right corner of the screen (highlighted in red). The table will then download in an open format that is accessible using Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet applications. Other accessible formats are also available by choosing from the dropdown box.

7. User Defined Analysis Using Universal Credit Datasets

Databases

By double clicking on any of the Universal Credit datasets, the user wishes to use, they will be taken to a page that looks like the following (Figure 7).

Figure 7: User Interface showing Households on Universal Credit Dataset

Note: this example is for Households on Universal Credit. Other sections have slightly different options on the left-hand side.

a. Creating a Time-Series

Select the months you wish to use as a part of your time series and add to either column or row (in this example we have chosen to add the months August 2015 to December 2015 inclusive into a column).

You can also press the small right pointing arrow next to ‘Month’ and then under ‘Select all at level’ press ‘Month’ if you wish to use all available months.

Simply press the ‘Retrieve Data’ button above the table to populate the table.

Note: There must always be at least one month selected when creating a table.

In the screenshot (Figure 8) below, we have highlighted the key steps necessary to create a time series of Households on Universal Credit. The months are highlighted first. Next, we highlight the ‘Column’ button, which allows users to add the selected months to the column. The ‘retrieve data’ button is then highlighted, which users can select to display their chosen data.

Figure 8: User Interface to Select Months, Add them to Column and Display Data

b. Adding an Initial Variable

You can add a second variable to the table using the options on the left and adding your selection to either the column or row. In this example we have chosen countries from the options and then added them to the rows of our table.

Press ‘Retrieve Data’ again to populate the table.

In the screenshot (Figure 9) below, we have highlighted the key steps necessary to add a second variable to the table. First, countries such as England, Scotland, and Wales within the highlighted field are selected. Next, these countries are added to the row by using the highlighted ‘Row’ button. The ‘Retrieve Data’ button is then highlighted, which users can select to display their chosen data.

Figure 9: User Interface to Select Countries, Add them to Row and Display Data

c. Adding More Variables

You can add more than two variables to a table. To do this you can follow the same process as described previously; by selecting your desired variable using the options on the left and adding them either to the column or row. In this example, we have selected ‘Carer Entitlement’ and added this variable to our rows.

In the screenshot (Figure 10) below, we have highlighted the key steps necessary to add more variables to the table. First, ‘Carer Entitlements’ within the highlighted fields are selected. Next, these fields are added to the row by using the highlighted ‘Row’ button. The ‘Retrieve Data’ button is then highlighted, which users can select to display their chosen data.

Figure 10: User Interface to Select Carer Entitlements, Add them to Row and Display Data

d. Converting a Number Table to a Percentage Table and Zero Suppression

To convert displayed results from a number to a percentage, choose ‘Table Options’, then ‘Percentages’ and select either row or column. You can also use the zero-suppression function to remove any zero values from your table, which allows you to view a more concise table.

In the screenshot (Figure 11) below, we have highlighted the ‘Table Option’ button. This button can be used to convert Number Table to Percentage Table and to supress zeros.

Figure 11: User Interface to Select Table Option

e. Add Derivations

Derivations allow you to create new calculated items within a table. For example, you can add together values in other columns, or use mathematical and statistical functions to create a new, bespoke variable.

To create a derivation, click the three vertical dots  (vertical ellipsis) menu option in the table next to the name of the field, and select the ‘Add Derivation’ option.

In the screenshot (Figure 12) below, we have highlighted the results of selecting the ‘three vertical dots’ menu option. This option can be used to add derivation when the ‘Add Derivation’ option is selected.

Figure 12: User Interface to Add Derivation Option

Then create your derivation using the pop-up box and press ‘Save’.

In the screenshot (Figure 13) below, we have highlighted the resulting pop-up box after selecting the ‘Add Derivation’ button. We have calculated the percentage of Households on Universal Credit using this pop-up box for England, Scotland and Wales from April 2015 to December 2015 inclusive.

Figure 13: User Interface Showing the Pop-Up Box after Selecting the ‘Add Derivation’ button

Note: in order to save derivations, you will need to register on the Stat-Xplore website. Registering is optional and free of charge.

The derivation will then be added at the end of rows/column depending on which variable you chose to change after selecting the ‘Save’ button.

In the screenshot (Figure 14) below, we have selected highlighted the calculated percentage of Households on Universal Credit for England, Scotland, and Wales from August 2015 to December 2015 inclusive.

Figure 14: User Interface Showing the Calculated Percentage of Households on Universal Credit for England, Scotland, and Wales from August 2015 to December 2015 inclusive

f. Outputting a Table to Microsoft Excel

Once you have a table you are happy with, you can export it to Excel by selecting the ‘Go’ button at the top right corner of the screen. This allows you to view the table in a desktop version of Microsoft Excel.

In the screenshot (Figure 15) below, we have highlighted the ‘Go’ button at the top right corner of the screen.

Figure 15: User Interface Showing the ‘Go’ Button

The table will look similar to this in Microsoft Excel (Figure 16):

The screenshot (Figure 16) below shows an exported Microsoft Excel data table after clicking on the ‘Go’ button.

Figure 16: Exported Microsoft Excel Data Table

Note: An in-depth example around how to make a graph using Stat-Xplore is provided in the example: Households by Month and Payment Amount.

8. Example: Households by Month and Payment Amount

a. Start with an Empty Table (click on ‘Clear Table’ if necessary)

Please refer to the screenshot (Figure 17) below to see the steps. In the screenshot, we have shown the interface for Households on Universal Credit.

Figure 17: User Interface for Household on Universal Credit

b. Adding the Month Variable

• click on ‘Month’
• select the months you wish to add.
• click on ‘Add to: Column’

For this example, we have used the months February 2023 to February 2024 inclusive.

Please refer to the screenshot below (Figure 18) to see the steps. This screenshot shows a step-by-step guide on how to add the month variable to the analysis. In this image, the months from February 2023 to February 2024 inclusive are selected and highlighted. By clicking on the highlighted ‘Column’ button, you can add the months to the column.

Figure 18: User Interface Showing How to Add the Month Variable to the Analysis

c. Adding the Payment Amount Variable

Adding monthly payment amount requires two steps.

• click Monthly Award Amount (bands)
• select all the bands you are interested in.

For this example, we have used all of them.

• then click on ‘Add to: Row’.

Please refer to the screenshot (Figure 19) below to see the steps. This screenshot shows a step-by-step guide on how to add the ‘Monthly Award Amount (bands)’ variable to the table. In this screenshot, all the Monthly Award Amount (bands) are selected and added to the row using the ‘Row’ button highlighted in red. The resulting data is then displayed.

Figure 19: User Interface Showing How to Add ‘Monthly Award Amount (bands)’ Variable to the Table

d. Changing the Monthly Award Amount (bands) to Show Payment Amount

Once the ‘Monthly Award Amount (bands)’ has been added we can turn this into ‘Payment Amount’. To do this,

• click on ‘Measures’ and select the box ‘Mean’ under ‘Payment Amount’.
• click ‘Add to: Wafer’.

Please refer to the image (Figure 20) below to see the steps. The image shows a step-by-step guide on how to change the ‘Monthly Award Amount (bands)’ to show ‘Payment Amount’. First, the Payment Amount (mean) is highlighted, followed by the ‘Wafer button’.

Figure 20: User Interface Showing How to Change the Monthly Award Amount (bands) to show Payment Amount

e. Fill the Table

• to fill the table with data now click ‘Retrieve Data’.

Please refer to the screenshot (Figure 21) below to see the step. The image shows how to use the ‘Retrieve Data’ button to fill the table. In the screenshot, we have highlighted the ‘Retrieve Data’ button and the displayed data.

Figure 21: User Interface Showing How to Populate the Table using the ‘Retrieve Data’ Button

f. Export Table to Excel

• to export into Excel, click ‘Go’ in the top-right corner of the page.

Please refer to the image (Figure 22) below to see the step. In this screenshot, we have highlighted the ‘Go’ button at the top right-hand corner of the screen to export the table to Microsoft Excel.

Figure 22: User Interface Showing the ‘Go’ Button to Export the Data to Microsoft Excel

g. Producing a Graph

• click ‘Graph View’ at the top of the page and choose the type of graph you require.
• to export the graph (PNG or PDF formats available), click ‘Go’ at the top right corner of the graph.

It is recommended that you reduce the number of months when producing a graph, as it will become much clearer to interpret. In this example, we have used the months from November 2023 to January 2024 inclusive and presented it as a Column Graph.

Please refer to the image (Figure 23) below to see the steps. In this screenshot, we first highlight the ‘Graph view’ option at the top of the page to switch to graphing mode. Next, we select ‘Column’ as the type of graph from the highlighted box on the left. The graph is then displayed. Finally, we highlight the ‘Go’ button at the top right corner of the screen to export the graph in various formats.

Figure 23: User Interface Showing How to Create Graph

9. Important Footnotes

Each different section that makes up Universal Credit Official Statistics has its own set of footnotes and definitions that you must be aware of to ensure your analysis is interpreted correctly and known limitations are factored in:

Claims made to Universal Credit

Symbol	Description
I	Week in which the claim was made, Friday to Thursday.
II	The breakdown for postcode district has been removed after an issue was identified. Investigations are currently ongoing, and the breakdown will be restored in due course.
III	A problem has been discovered with the source data for this series which affects the breakdown by postcode, making it unreliable from April 2022 onwards. All postcodes for data from April 2022 onwards will therefore be marked as ‘(ZZ) Unknown’ while the problem is investigated. National figures are not affected.
z	”..” denotes a nil or negligible number of claimants or award amount based on a nil or negligible number of claimants.

Starts to Universal Credit

Symbol	Description
I	The reporting month in relation to starts to Universal Credit relates to a period from the Friday following the second Thursday in the previous month to the second Thursday in the current month.
II	Figures provided for starts show the Jobcentre Plus office recorded at the start of the claim, whereas the figures for the number of people on Universal Credit are representative of the current Jobcentre Plus office that the claimant is attending. It is possible for people to have started on Universal Credit in one office and have moved to another office during their claim, and for this reason, the number of people on Universal Credit can be higher than the starts figure for any particular office, however it is more noticeable when numbers are low.
III	After investigation of data on Jobcentre Plus offices, it was discovered that there are some instances of incomplete Jobcentre Plus office data from January 2018 to April 2018. This has impacted a limited number of claims in offices where Universal Credit hasn’t been fully rolled out. Although this has now been resolved for April 2018, there is no reliable method for recovering the missing data therefore Jobcentre Plus office data between January and March 2018 should be treated with caution. The appropriate action has been taken to ensure that this does not re-occur.
IV	Jobcentre Plus hierarchical geographies were updated on 18th May 2021 and unfortunately included some inconsistencies with the Jobcentre Plus District and Group in which certain offices were incorrectly assigned. To correct this, on 17th August 2021 a small number of offices were moved into a new Jobcentre Plus District and Group (where applicable). A summary containing the Jobcentre Plus mapping changes for individual Jobcentre Plus offices can be found at: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/info/fuc/UC_JCPs.html
z	”..” denotes a nil or negligible number of claimants or award amount based on a nil or negligible number of claimants.
p	Figures marked “p” are provisional. These figures will be subject to revision in subsequent releases.
r	Figures marked “r” have been revised since the previous release.

People on Universal Credit

Symbol	Description
I	Figures are a count of the number of people on Universal Credit on the second Thursday of each month.
II	Figures provided for starts show the Jobcentre Plus office recorded at the start of the claim, whereas the figures for the number of people on Universal Credit are representative of the current Jobcentre Plus office that the claimant is attending. It is possible for people to have started on Universal Credit in one office and have moved to another office during their claim, and for this reason, the number of people on Universal Credit can be higher than the starts figure for any particular office, however it is more noticeable when numbers are low.
III	After investigation of data on conditionality regime, it was discovered that there was an issue with the operational system in April 2018 which resulted in a number of people on Universal Credit being placed in the incorrect conditionality regime. The issue was resolved in May 2018 and claimants were returned to their correct conditionality regime. However, figures for April 2018 conditionality regime should be treated with caution.
z	”..” denotes a nil or negligible number of claimants or award amount based on a nil or negligible number of claimants.
p	Figures marked “p” are provisional. These figures will be subject to revision in subsequent releases. It is expected that overall provisional figures will be within two per cent of their revised figure in future releases.
r	Figures marked “r” have been revised since the previous release.

Households on Universal Credit

Symbol	Description
I	A limited test of the full Universal Credit service was launched in Sutton, South London on 26th November 2014, and has expanded to other areas since. This publication now includes statistics covering both the live and full Universal Credit service. Please see https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-transition-to-full-service for details of the areas in which the full Universal Credit service is operating.
II	Data for more recent months will be subject to a higher degree of revision. Universal Credit award amounts may be retrospectively revised.
III	Monthly award amounts include any awards due to entitlement such as the standard allowance or housing entitlement plus any advance payments. Advance payments will normally be recovered during subsequent assessment periods.
IV	Award, entitlement, and payment information may be missing for a very small number of households on Universal Credit, where more limited information is entered onto IT systems.
z	”..” denotes a nil or negligible number of claimants or award amount based on a nil or negligible number of claimants.
p	Figures marked “p” are provisional. These figures will be subject to revision in subsequent releases. It is expected that overall provisional figures will be within two per cent of their revised figure in future releases.
r	Figures marked “r” have been revised since the previous release.

10. Useful Tips and Information

For a more general and in-depth guide on how to use Stat-Xplore and its functionality there is a User Guide available through the main Stat-Xplore welcome page.

Press the blue ‘i’ symbol to get a definition of the variable if you are unsure of the definition.

In the screenshot (Figure 24) below, we have highlighted the blue ‘i’ symbol, which can be used to get the definition of a variable if you are unsure.

Figure 24: User Interface Showing the Information Button

You can stop the ‘Total’ from showing for a particular variable by the clicking the three vertical dots next to it and de-selecting ‘Total’.

In the screenshot below (Figure 25), we have highlighted the ‘three vertical dots’ menu option and the results of selecting this menu option.

Figure 25: User Interface Showing the ‘three vertical dots’ Menu Option

Remember to check if there is a Ready-Made table for the data you are looking for to save you some time.

Note: You could use a ready-made table as a starting point then amend the columns or rows to the variables you want.

When sharing or publishing your own analysis please add ‘Source: Universal Credit Official Statistics Stat-Xplore’.

Create an account to save tables, create custom fields or create large tables. These features are not available when using a guest account. To use these features, you will need to register on the Stat-Xplore website. Registering is optional and free of charge. Please refer to User Defined Analysis for steps on how to save tables.

A lot of our statistical bulletin refers to ‘households in payment’. To replicate these statistics using Stat-Xplore it is important to remember an in-payment filter will need to be added. See the Appendix - Example using Households dataset for guidance on how to add a filter.

Note: On the day new Universal Credit statistics is being published Stat-Xplore will often not be available immediately in the lead up to the new publication (9:30am).

Due to inherent differences in the methodology for People on Universal Credit and Households on Universal Credit, it is not possible to cross-tabulate between the two measures.

Count Date as used in this guidance refers to the second Thursday of each month, when counts and other data are taken for each variable from the relevant data source.

Universal Credit Full Service (UCFS) is the main data source for the administration of Universal Credit claims. It is used as the base data source for Universal Credit official statistics to determine who is on Universal Credit, and the details of the various elements of Universal Credit.

Customer Information System (CIS) contains a record for all individuals who have registered and been issued with a National Insurance number.

Assessment Period as used in this guidance refers to a period of one month at the end of which a claimant’s Universal Credit entitlement for that month is calculated.

11. Contact Us

See further information and content relating to Universal Credit Official Statistics.

For questions and comments relating to Universal Credit Official Statistics please email us at  team.ucos@dwp.gov.uk

For Questions and comments relating to Stat-Xplore please email stat.xplore@dwp.gov.uk

These contact details are for statistics related queries and are unable to provide any information or assistance with claiming Universal Credit.