The benefits statistical summary is a high level summary of the latest National Statistics on Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits.

From February 2018, the main statistical release document is published on a 6 monthly basis, in February and August each year. Data is also released quarterly via Stat-Xplore, Nomis and data tables where appropriate.

More detailed information about the statistics included in the summaries can be found using https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/jsf/login.xhtml" class="govuk-link">Stat-Xplore and https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/" class="govuk-link">Nomis.

We made improvements to the geography information in our statistics during 2018. The changes reflect 2011 Census Output Areas and allow us to adhere to the latest geographical boundaries as defined by https://www.ons.gov.uk/methodology/geography/ukgeographies/censusgeography" class="govuk-link">Office for National Statistics’ guidance.

The improvements are:

• residency based geographical breakdowns for Housing Benefits were refreshed in August and published on https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/jsf/login.xhtml" class="govuk-link">Stat-Xplore with data from April 2018
• new geographies for most of our Legacy Benefits were refreshed in November and published on both Stat-Xplore and https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/" class="govuk-link">Nomis with data from May 2018

We have no plans to update historic series. Read the DWP statistical geographies note for more information.

Quarterly official and experimental publication providing sanctions statistics for:

• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support (IS)
• Universal Credit

Find further breakdowns of these statistics in https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/jsf/login.xhtml" class="govuk-link">Stat-Xplore, our online tool for exploring some of the Department for Work and Pensions’ main statistics. You can use Stat-Xplore to create your own tables and charts.

Find further information about the sanctions process, source of these statistics and the publication rounding policy in the background information and methodology documents.

Next release of these statistics

From May 2018, the publication of benefit sanctions statistics will move from Wednesdays to Tuesdays. This means the next release will be published on 15 May 2018, as will the supporting tables and the Stat-Xplore sanctions data. This is to align with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) claimant count publication dates. Further information can be found on the https://www.ons.gov.uk/news/statementsandletters/changestoonsreleasetimetable" class="govuk-link">changes to ONS release timetable.