Official Statistics

Universal Credit statistics, 29 April 2013 to 12 October 2023

Official statistics for the number of claims, starts, people and households on Universal Credit.

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

Universal Credit data tables (on Stat-Xplore)

Details

The latest release of these statistics can be found in the collection of Universal Credit statistics.

These official statistics contain data on:

  • the number of people who made a claim or started on Universal Credit to October 2023
  • the number of people who are on Universal Credit to October 2023
  • the number of households who are on Universal Credit to August 2023

Background information

Read the background information and methodology note for guidance on these statistics, such as timeliness, uses, and procedures.

Previously, due to a housing data supply issue, Universal Credit Household breakdowns by ‘Local Housing Allowance’ and ‘Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy’ were not available from October 2022. These breakdowns have now been reinstated and updated on Stat-Xplore and the gov.uk website.

Universal Credit claims and starts breakdowns by postcode are no longer available from April 2022 onwards, due to missing geography data. The missing information has been captured and action is being taken to reinstate these breakdowns in future releases. Updates will be provided via Stat-Xplore and the gov.uk website.

Interactive tools

Software used for the interactive maps is no longer supported. These showed households on Universal Credit at the local authority level and people on Universal Credit at Jobcentre Plus level.

The interactive maps have therefore been withdrawn and a replacement is currently under development. Once completed and launched, the interactive tool (called Examine-a-Stat) will have improved functionality, including interactive maps, to better meet a wider range of user needs. It will be available in due course and the statistics are currently available on Stat-Xplore.

Pre-release access

In addition to staff who are responsible for the production and quality assurance of the statistics, up to 24-hour pre-release access is provided to ministers and other officials. We publish the job titles and organisations of the people who have been granted up to 24-hour pre-release access to the latest Universal Credit statistics.

Updates to this page

Published 14 November 2023

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