1. Information Directorate DWP Small Area Data NERIP Event – Version 1

2. Aim of this presentation Background Inform users of important new data release Give sneak preview of the new data Round up, Questions and Contact Details

3. Introduction Nigel Brough Statistician leading Neighbourhood Statistics team within Information Directorate Based on Longbenton site, Newcastle Responsible for production and dissemination of DWP’s small area benefits data NERIP Event – Version 1

4. Background DWP releasing ward level data – commencing 1998 Part of commitment to Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy Caseloads of Individual Benefits eg: Income Support, Incapacity Benefit; Annual data – usually based on August ‘point in time’ Wards up to 2003 - focus now on LSOA/DZ level data

5. New Data Release DWP carried out project to modernise statistical information – release of Tabulation Tool in October 2005 Integral part of process is to release small area data using same data source as in Tabulation Tool Rolling programme of releases: Working Age Client Group Pensioner Client Group Individual benefits

6. Working Age Client Group Combines data on key DWP benefits for claimants of working age (16-59/64) and places people into larger ‘statistical’ groups based on main reason for interacting with DWP in a priority order. Statistical Groups are: Job Seeker Incapacity Benefits Lone Parents on Income Support Carers Others on Income Related Benefit Disabled Bereaved

7. Advantages of Working Age Client Group Covers virtually all of the major DWP working age benefits Takes out overlaps between benefits Quarterly data. Initial Release covers August 1999 to August 2005. Data will be National Statistics and preannounced. Release planned to be in March 2006 WACG to have consistent small area geography - LSOA/DZ level for whole series – but wards as well WACG tries to use consistent definitions but there are changes to the benefit system over time. Explained by metadata.

8. Example of Working Age Client Group Data

12. Additional Points & Summary DWP faces major challenges in its need to reduce staff numbers. This will restrict number of ad hocs we can carry out – so what you see is what you get! DWP will not be able to share individual level data with other organisations without a change in legislation; But DWP hope that the release of such a large amount of up-to- date, consistent, small area data will prove to be a very useful addition for internal and external users; Any Questions?

13. Publication of Data (Planned) DWP website – WPLS link on front sheet of the Tabulation Tool www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/tabtool.asp ONS Neighbourhood Statistics website www.statistics.gov.uk NOMIS website Scottish Executive Neighbourhood Statistics website Contact: ness@dwp.gsi.gov.uk