Labour Market
The majority of administrative datasets that record information on the different aspects of the labour market are gathered by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), via their tax and benefit systems.
The Department for Work and Pensions administers the majority of benefits in the UK. Datasets that have the potential for labour market research include Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support allowance and New Deal for Lone Parents. The HMRC hold a wide variety of information that could be used for labour market research including earnings, tax contributions (including National Insurance), Child Benefit and Tax Credits records as well as employment start and end dates.
The Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS) was introduced in January 2004, and enhanced in October 2005, and links the benefit and programme information held by DWP on its customers, with employment records from Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Please note that access to this dataset is heavily restricted. The Office for National Statistics Inter-Departmental Business Register covers 99% of the UK economy and holds a wide variety of individual business information including employment and employee details.
Labour Market administrative data summary
| Dataset | Organisation name | Key variables | Information available on the ADLS website? |
| Child Benefit dataset | Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs | Child age and sex, household composition, geography | Yes. Please click here for detailed information |
| CORE (Continuous Recording) | Tenant Services Authority | Household profile, income and economic status, rent, some benefit information | Not yet available |
| Income Tax dataset | Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs | Personal details, income sources, tax payments, tax relief | Not yet available |
| Inter-Departmental Business Register | Office for National Statistics | Business size, turnover, legal status, employment and employee information | Yes. Please click here for detailed information |
| SCORE (Scottish Continuous Recording) | Scottish Government | Household profile, income and economic status, rent, benefits received | Not yet available |
| Tax Credit Claimants dataset | Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs | Household composition, entitlement level, employment status, child care costs | Yes. Please click here for detailed information |
| Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study | Department for Work and Pensions | Age and gender of claimant, duration of spell on benefits, geography | Yes. Please click here for detailed information |
The ADLS will add new information and datasets to the Labour Market theme section over time. Please keep checking back and you may also wish to receive notification by registering with us for these information updates.
