Completing the move to Universal Credit: statistics related to the move of households claiming Tax Credits and DWP benefits to Universal Credit: data to end of August 2023
Published 14 November 2023
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
© Crown copyright 2023
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/move-to-universal-credit-statistics-july-2022-to-august-2023/completing-the-move-to-universal-credit-statistics-related-to-the-move-of-households-claiming-tax-credits-and-dwp-benefits-to-universal-credit-data
The latest release of these statistics can be found in the collection of Move to Universal Credit statistics.
Main Stories
It should be noted that households who have been sent a migration notice to date may not be representative of the complete population who will be sent a migration notice.
In the period covered by this bulletin, the vast majority of migration notices have been sent to single tax credit households whose likelihood of claiming UC and receiving transitional protection may be different to couple tax credit households and/or DWP legacy benefit claimants, the majority of whom had not yet been sent a migration notice in the period covered in this bulletin.
The statistics show that between July 2022 and August 2023:
- a total of 117,690 individuals in 117,190 households have been sent migration notices
- a total of 61,130 of these individuals who were sent migration notices have made a claim to Universal Credit
- of those who have claimed Universal Credit, 39,920 households have been awarded transitional protection
- a total of 40,540 of individuals who were sent migration notices are still going through the Move to UC process
- a total of 16,020 of individuals who were sent migration notices have had their legacy benefit claims closed
Introduction
Universal Credit (UC) has streamlined and simplified the benefits system by combining the following six ‘legacy’ benefits into a single monthly payment:
- Working Tax Credits (WTC)
- Child Tax Credit (CTC)
- Housing Benefit (HB)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support (IS)
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
By the end of 2018, UC was rolled out to all Jobcentres for new claimants. However, there still remains a substantial number of households claiming legacy benefits. The total number of people and households currently claiming UC can be found on DWP’s Stat-Xplore website under “Households on Universal Credit”.
DWP’s strategy for moving these remaining households to UC is formed of three ‘tracks’ of migration (natural, voluntary and managed), as set out in the department’s Completing the Move to UC policy document, published in April 2022.
This statistical bulletin focuses on cohorts of benefit recipients where the migration notice (MN) was sent in or after July 2022. Information on recipients who were sent MNs before this period is available in an earlier publication Completing the move to Universal Credit: Learning from the Discovery Phase.
This document explains what Discovery is and the process employed by the department for moving people from legacy benefits to UC.
These statistics include the numbers of MNs sent, UC claims made, legacy benefit claims closed, reminders sent, and transitional protection (TP) awards made. It also includes demographic breakdowns of the data relating to these cohorts.
During July and August 2022, MNs were sent to all legacy benefit types; a number of households claiming TCs, and also DWP benefits (HB, income-related ESA, IS and income-based JSA) which have been replaced by UC. Since August 2022, only recipients of CTC and WTC have been notified to move to UC.
It should be noted that claimants who have been sent a MN to date will not be representative of the complete population who will be sent a MN.
In particular, in the period covered by this bulletin the vast majority of migration notices have been sent to single TC households whose likelihood of claiming UC and receiving TP may be different to couple TC households and/or DWP legacy benefit claimants, the majority of whom had not yet been sent a migration notice in the period covered in this bulletin.
Guidance
Data were extracted from DWP administrative systems on 16 October 2023.
All figures are rounded to 10.
Note that individual figures in tables may not sum to the total in tables due to independent rounding. When rounding a multiple of 5, the IEC 60559 standard is used, meaning that rounding is towards an even multiple of ten.
Where quoted, percentages have been calculated using unrounded values.
’..’ in tables indicate a nil or negligible count.
Further guidance on these statistics is available in the background information and methodology document.
Migration Notices sent to individuals and number claiming Universal Credit
Households are given an initial period of three months within which to claim. They may also be sent one or more reminders. This means that an overall claim rate calculated over all months will under-estimate the actual claim rate as it will not correctly account for people who are yet to claim.
Figures for all months still may be subject to changes as further extensions may be granted to claimants.
The month column in all tables indicates the month in which the MN was sent.
Table 1: Month MN Sent (July 2022 to August 2023)
| Month MN Sent | Migration Notices sent | of which reminders sent | Claims | of which claimed before deadline | In progress | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Months | 117,690 | 85,980 | 61,130 | 57,860 | 40,540 | 16,020 |
| Jul 2022 | 860 | 650 | 770 | 680 | .. | 80 |
| Aug 2022 | 190 | 160 | 150 | 130 | .. | 40 |
| Sep 2022 | 280 | 210 | 210 | 180 | .. | 70 |
| Oct 2022 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. |
| Nov 2022 | 80 | 80 | 60 | 60 | .. | 20 |
| Dec 2022 | 100 | 80 | 70 | 60 | .. | 20 |
| Jan 2023 | 530 | 410 | 430 | 400 | .. | 100 |
| Feb 2023 | 980 | 750 | 720 | 670 | .. | 250 |
| Mar 2023 | 1,000 | 820 | 680 | 610 | .. | 320 |
| Apr 2023 | 5,010 | 3,920 | 3,640 | 3,290 | 10 | 1,360 |
| May 2023 | 13,010 | 11,170 | 9,030 | 7,910 | 60 | 3,920 |
| Jun 2023 | 23,480 | 19,840 | 17,290 | 15,960 | 170 | 6,030 |
| Jul 2023 | 27,280 | 22,820 | 15,590 | 15,440 | 7,890 | 3,800 |
| Aug 2023 | 44,900 | 25,070 | 12,490 | 12,490 | 32,410 | .. |
Notes: ‘..’ indicates nil or negligible
Between July 2022 and September 2022, Move to UC was in an extended ‘Discovery’ phase, building on learning from the ETS phase. No MNs were sent in October 2022. From November 2022 onwards, the programme entered its operational phase.
All individuals sent a MN have been included in this table. However, many individuals will not have passed their initial migration deadline and may still make a claim to UC. These individuals will be recorded in the ‘In Progress’ column.
Definitions used to calculate the number of claims made are given in the background information and methodology document.
Table 2: MNs sent by previous benefit claimed (July 2022 to August 2023)
| Benefit | Migration Notices sent | of which reminders sent | Claims | of which claimed before deadline | In progress | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Benefits | 117,690 | 85,980 | 61,130 | 57,860 | 40,540 | 16,020 |
| DWP Benefits | 550 | 400 | 520 | 470 | .. | 30 |
| Tax Credits Only | 117,140 | 85,590 | 60,600 | 57,380 | 40,540 | 16,000 |
Claimants of CTC, WTC, HB, IB, IS and JSA were sent MNs. From September 2022 onwards, the Move to UC programme concentrated on recipients of Tax Credits.
All individuals sent an MN have been included in this table. However, many individuals will not have passed their initial migration deadline and may still make a claim to UC. These individuals will be recorded in the ‘In Progress’ column.
Definitions used to calculate the number of claims made are given in the background information and methodology document.
Table 3: MNs sent by region (July 2022 to August 2023)
| Region | Migration Notices sent | of which reminders sent | Claims | of which claimed before deadline | In progress | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Britain | 117,690 | 85,980 | 61,130 | 57,860 | 40,540 | 16,020 |
| England | 110,190 | 83,110 | 59,150 | 55,880 | 35,020 | 16,020 |
| North East | 6,930 | 5,640 | 4,420 | 4,360 | 1,570 | 940 |
| North West | 21,240 | 15,410 | 14,080 | 12,900 | 2,960 | 4,200 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 19,890 | 15,860 | 9,640 | 9,320 | 8,460 | 1,780 |
| East Midlands | 7,290 | 3,760 | 2,240 | 2,240 | 5,010 | 40 |
| West Midlands | 4,300 | 3,330 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 2,780 | 10 |
| East of England | 9,840 | 7,530 | 5,630 | 5,540 | 2,640 | 1,560 |
| London | 19,150 | 16,560 | 8,530 | 7,800 | 7,590 | 3,030 |
| South East | 8,570 | 5,530 | 4,640 | 4,520 | 2,880 | 1,050 |
| South West | 12,970 | 9,490 | 8,450 | 7,700 | 1,120 | 3,400 |
| Wales | 1,750 | .. | 380 | 380 | 1,370 | .. |
| Scotland | 5,760 | 2,870 | 1,600 | 1,600 | 4,150 | .. |
All individuals sent an MN have been included in this table. However, many individuals will not have passed their initial migration deadline and may still make a claim to UC. These individuals will be recorded in the ‘In Progress’ column.
During the ETS phase, claimants in Medway and Bolton were sent MNs. Between July and September 2022, the service expanded to Cornwall (Falmouth and Truro), Northumberland (Berwick and Hexham), and London (Borough of Harrow). In February 2023, Move to UC extended to all areas within Cornwall.
Since April 2023, the expansion of Move to UC has brought in additional regions each month. DWP will be operating Move to UC activity in all regions / countries of Great Britain by September 2023 and expect to be undertaking Move to UC activity in all Jobcentre Plus districts by the end of the 2023/24 financial year.
Region has been derived from claimants’ postcodes recorded on administrative systems, as described in the background information and methodology document.
Definitions used to calculate the number of claims made are given in the background information and methodology document.
Table 4: MNs sent by age (July 2022 to August 2023)
| Age | Migration Notices sent | of which reminders sent | Claims | of which claimed before deadline | In progress | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Ages | 117,690 | 85,980 | 61,130 | 57,860 | 40,540 | 16,020 |
| 20-24 | 110 | 90 | 60 | 50 | 30 | 20 |
| 25-29 | 2,420 | 1,680 | 1,320 | 1,240 | 770 | 330 |
| 30-34 | 10,270 | 7,200 | 5,530 | 5,150 | 3,580 | 1,170 |
| 35-39 | 18,620 | 13,530 | 10,040 | 9,440 | 6,350 | 2,230 |
| 40-49 | 48,030 | 34,900 | 25,620 | 24,270 | 16,360 | 6,040 |
| 50-59 | 32,020 | 23,820 | 15,780 | 15,070 | 11,160 | 5,080 |
| 60 and over | 6,220 | 4,770 | 2,780 | 2,640 | 2,290 | 1,150 |
All individuals sent an MN have been included in this table. However, many individuals will not have passed their initial migration deadline and may still make a claim to UC. These individuals will be recorded in the ‘In Progress’ column.
Definitions used to calculate the number of claims made are given in the background information and methodology document.
Table 5: MNs sent by gender (July 2022 to August 2023)
| Gender | Migration Notices sent | of which reminders sent | Claims | of which claimed before deadline | In progress | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Genders | 117,690 | 85,980 | 61,130 | 57,860 | 40,540 | 16,020 |
| Female | 103,930 | 75,450 | 55,230 | 52,340 | 35,500 | 13,200 |
| Male | 13,760 | 10,540 | 5,900 | 5,520 | 5,040 | 2,820 |
| Not recorded | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. |
All individuals sent an MN have been included in this table. However, many individuals will not have passed their initial migration deadline and may still make a claim to UC. These individuals will be recorded in the ‘In Progress’ column.
Definitions used to calculate the number of claims made are given in the background information and methodology document.
Awards of Transitional Protection
Table 6: MNs sent by Household Type (July 2022 to August 2023)
| HH Type | Migration Notices sent | of which reminders sent | Claims | of which claimed before deadline | In progress | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All People | 117,690 | 85,980 | 61,130 | 57,860 | 40,540 | 16,020 |
| Single Adult | 116,680 | 85,060 | 60,580 | 57,350 | 40,540 | 15,560 |
| Couple | 1,010 | 920 | 550 | 510 | .. | 460 |
All households sent an MN have been included in this table. However, many households will not have passed their initial migration deadline and may still make a claim to UC. These households will not have had TP calculated.
Definitions used to calculate the number of claims made and further information on TP are given in the background information and methodology document.
Table 7: Households Awarded TP by Month MN Sent (July 2022 to August 2023)
| Month MN Sent | MN Sent (All) | MN Sent (Singles) | MN Sent (Couples) | UC Claims (All) | UC Claims (Singles) | UC Claims (Couples) | TP Awards (All) | TP Awards (Singles) | TP Awards (Couples) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Months | 117,190 | 116,680 | 510 | 60,860 | 60,580 | 280 | 39,920 | 39,790 | 130 |
| Jul 2022 | 860 | 860 | .. | 770 | 770 | .. | 420 | 420 | .. |
| Aug 2022 | 190 | 190 | .. | 150 | 150 | .. | 90 | 90 | .. |
| Sep 2022 | 280 | 280 | .. | 210 | 210 | .. | 140 | 140 | .. |
| Oct 2022 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. |
| Nov 2022 | 80 | 80 | .. | 60 | 60 | .. | 50 | 50 | .. |
| Dec 2022 | 100 | 100 | .. | 70 | 70 | .. | 60 | 60 | .. |
| Jan 2023 | 530 | 530 | .. | 430 | 430 | .. | 330 | 330 | .. |
| Feb 2023 | 980 | 980 | .. | 720 | 720 | .. | 570 | 570 | .. |
| Mar 2023 | 1,000 | 1,000 | .. | 680 | 680 | .. | 520 | 520 | .. |
| Apr 2023 | 5,010 | 5,010 | .. | 3,640 | 3,640 | .. | 2,900 | 2,900 | .. |
| May 2023 | 12,940 | 12,860 | 80 | 8,980 | 8,940 | 40 | 6,680 | 6,660 | 30 |
| Jun 2023 | 23,060 | 22,620 | 430 | 17,060 | 16,830 | 230 | 11,440 | 11,330 | 100 |
| Jul 2023 | 27,280 | 27,280 | .. | 15,590 | 15,590 | .. | 9,530 | 9,530 | .. |
| Aug 2023 | 44,900 | 44,900 | .. | 12,490 | 12,490 | .. | 7,190 | 7,190 | .. |
All households sent an MN have been included in this table. However, many households will not have passed their initial migration deadline and may still make a claim to UC. These households will not have had TP calculated.
Definitions used to calculate the number of claims made and further information on TP are given in the background information and methodology document.
Table 8: Households Awarded TP by previous benefit claimed (July 2022 to August 2023)
| Benefit | MN Sent (All) | MN Sent (Singles) | MN Sent (Couples) | UC Claims (All) | UC Claims (Singles) | UC Claims (Couples) | TP Awards (All) | TP Awards (Singles) | TP Awards (Couples) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Benefits | 117,190 | 116,680 | 510 | 60,860 | 60,580 | 280 | 39,920 | 39,790 | 130 |
| DWP Benefits | 550 | 550 | .. | 520 | 520 | .. | 220 | 220 | .. |
| Tax Credits Only | 116,640 | 116,130 | 510 | 60,330 | 60,060 | 280 | 39,700 | 39,570 | 130 |
All households sent an MN have been included in this table. However, many households will not have passed their initial migration deadline and may still make a claim to UC. These households will not have had TP calculated.
Definitions used to calculate the number of claims made and further information on TP are given in the background information and methodology document.
Table 9: Households Awarded TP by region (July 2022 to August 2023)
| Region | MN Sent (All) | MN Sent (Singles) | MN Sent (Couples) | UC Claims (All) | UC Claims (Singles) | UC Claims (Couples) | TP Awards (All) | TP Awards (Singles) | TP Awards (Couples) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Britain | 117,190 | 116,680 | 510 | 60,860 | 60,580 | 280 | 39,920 | 39,790 | 130 |
| England | 109,680 | 109,180 | 500 | 58,880 | 58,600 | 280 | 38,860 | 38,730 | 130 |
| North East | 6,930 | 6,930 | .. | 4,420 | 4,420 | .. | 3,100 | 3,100 | .. |
| North West | 21,240 | 21,240 | .. | 14,080 | 14,080 | .. | 9,600 | 9,600 | .. |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 19,890 | 19,890 | .. | 9,640 | 9,640 | .. | 6,240 | 6,240 | .. |
| East Midlands | 7,290 | 7,290 | .. | 2,240 | 2,240 | .. | 1,330 | 1,330 | .. |
| West Midlands | 4,300 | 4,300 | .. | 1,500 | 1,500 | .. | 1,000 | 1,000 | .. |
| East of England | 9,840 | 9,840 | .. | 5,630 | 5,630 | .. | 3,310 | 3,310 | .. |
| London | 19,150 | 19,150 | .. | 8,530 | 8,530 | .. | 5,020 | 5,020 | .. |
| South East | 8,570 | 8,570 | .. | 4,640 | 4,640 | .. | 2,960 | 2,960 | .. |
| South West | 12,470 | 11,970 | 500 | 8,180 | 7,910 | 280 | 6,300 | 6,170 | 130 |
| Wales | 1,750 | 1,750 | .. | 380 | 380 | .. | 220 | 220 | .. |
| Scotland | 5,760 | 5,760 | .. | 1,600 | 1,600 | .. | 840 | 840 | .. |
All households sent an MN have been included in this table. However, many households will not have passed their initial migration deadline and may still make a claim to UC. These households will not have had TP calculated.
Definitions used to calculate the number of claims made and further information on TP are given in the background information and methodology document.
Contact information and feedback
DWP would like to hear your views on these statistics. We would be interested in hearing what you use them for and how well they meet your requirements.
Feedback and queries about the statistics can be sent to: ucad.briefinganalysis@dwp.gov.uk.
For media enquiries please contact the DWP press office.
Lead Statisticians: Ashley Buckner and Mike Payne
ISBN: 978-1-78659-578-2