Universal Credit: Claimant Count statistics

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is running a consultation on Claimant Count statistics from 3 October until 23 November 2012. The Claimant Count generally aims to measure the number of people who receive benefits principally for the reason of being unemployed. It is currently based on Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) but needs to change because of the introduction of Universal Credit. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provides JSA claimant count data to ONS who process and publish the information in tables 10 and 11 of the monthly Labour Market Statistics bulletin.

This consultation is aimed at users of Claimant Count statistics.

Labour Market Statistics bulletins are available here:

• ONS Labour Market Statistics

The September 2012 bulletin is the latest available at the start of this consultation:

• Labour Market Statistics, September 2012 (ONS) (537KB)