Official Statistics

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 December 2023

Published 13 February 2024

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

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

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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 tax credit households whose likelihood of claiming Universal Credit and receiving transitional protection may be different from Department for Work and Pensions (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 December 2023:

  • a total of 519,370 individuals in 346,550 households have been sent migration notices
  • a total of 132,040 of these individuals, living in 117,200 households, who were sent migration notices have made a claim to Universal Credit
  • of those who have claimed Universal Credit, 85,150 households have been awarded transitional protection
  • a total of 355,620 of individuals who were sent migration notices are still going through the Move to Universal Credit process
  • a total of 31,720 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 tool 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. A more detailed description of TP is included in the background information and methodology document. They 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.

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 TC households whose likelihood of claiming UC and receiving TP may be different from 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 02 January 2024.

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: MNs sent to individuals by month MN Sent (July 2022 to December 2023)

Month MN Sent Migration Notices sent of which reminders sent Claims of which claimed by initial deadline In progress Closed
All Months 519,370 224,770 132,040 124,120 355,620 31,720
Jul 2022 850 640 770 680 .. 80
Aug 2022 190 160 150 130 .. 40
Sep 2022 270 210 200 180 .. 70
Oct 2022 .. .. .. .. .. ..
Nov 2022 80 80 60 60 .. 20
Dec 2022 100 80 70 60 .. 20
Jan 2023 520 410 420 390 .. 100
Feb 2023 960 730 720 660 .. 250
Mar 2023 1,000 820 680 600 .. 320
Apr 2023 4,950 3,860 3,620 3,270 10 1,320
May 2023 12,880 11,040 8,980 7,850 40 3,860
Jun 2023 23,180 19,550 17,500 15,870 50 5,620
Jul 2023 26,970 22,530 19,970 18,500 140 6,860
Aug 2023 44,500 35,130 32,920 31,100 530 11,050
Sep 2023 39,820 33,900 16,380 15,180 21,340 2,100
Oct 2023 106,150 95,620 19,010 19,010 87,140 ..
Nov 2023 124,170 .. 8,220 8,220 115,960 ..
Dec 2023 132,780 .. 2,370 2,370 130,410 ..

Notes for Table 1

’..’ indicates nil or negligible

This table is included in worksheet 3 of the supporting data tables published with this release.

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 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. Therefore, care should be taken in calculating claim and non-claim rates from this table.

Definitions used to calculate the number of claims made are given in the background information and methodology document.

Table 2: MNs sent to individuals by previous benefit claimed (July 2022 to December 2023)

Benefit Migration Notices sent of which reminders sent Claims of which claimed by initial deadline In progress Closed
All Benefits 519,370 224,770 132,040 124,120 355,620 31,720
DWP Benefits 1,870 1,300 1,230 1,170 610 40
Tax Credits Only 517,500 223,460 130,810 122,950 355,010 31,680

This table is included in worksheet 7 of the supporting data tables published with this release.

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. Therefore, care should be taken in calculating claim and non-claim rates from this table.

Definitions used to calculate the number of claims made are given in the background information and methodology document.

Table 3: MNs sent to individuals by region (July 2022 to December 2023)

Region Migration Notices sent of which reminders sent Claims of which claimed by initial deadline In progress Closed
Great Britain 519,370 224,770 132,040 124,120 355,610 31,720
England 449,270 198,390 117,340 109,970 302,500 29,440
North East 24,700 9,560 6,680 6,320 16,530 1,500
North West 99,180 46,830 25,920 24,110 67,920 5,350
Yorkshire and The Humber 76,620 35,240 20,510 19,510 51,560 4,550
East Midlands 51,060 19,790 11,280 10,720 37,630 2,160
West Midlands 14,840 6,830 4,120 3,950 9,680 1,040
East of England 35,430 17,030 10,320 9,800 22,510 2,600
London 53,170 27,520 15,600 14,140 31,550 6,020
South East 51,350 16,940 10,660 10,090 38,270 2,420
South West 42,910 18,660 12,250 11,330 26,860 3,810
Wales 30,300 12,530 5,980 5,790 23,590 730
Scotland 39,790 13,850 8,720 8,360 29,520 1,550

This table is included in worksheet 6 of the supporting data tables published with this release.

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. Therefore, care should be taken in calculating claim and non-claim rates from this table.

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 to 2024 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 to individuals by age (July 2022 to December 2023)

Age Migration Notices sent of which reminders sent Claims of which claimed by initial deadline In progress Closed
All Ages 519,370 224,770 132,040 124,120 355,620 31,720
20-24 230 140 100 90 90 30
25-29 7,140 3,430 2,500 2,320 4,060 580
30-34 39,450 16,480 11,570 10,750 25,560 2,330
35-39 91,840 35,660 22,960 21,540 64,580 4,290
40-49 225,860 94,230 55,890 52,600 158,030 11,940
50-59 129,220 61,970 32,850 31,030 86,160 10,200
60 and over 25,640 12,840 6,160 5,800 17,120 2,350

This table is included in worksheet 5 of the supporting data tables published with this release.

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. Therefore, care should be taken in calculating claim and non-claim rates from this table.

Definitions used to calculate the number of claims made are given in the background information and methodology document.

Table 5: MNs sent to individuals by gender (July 2022 to December 2023)

Gender Migration Notices sent of which reminders sent Claims of which claimed by initial deadline In progress Closed
All Genders 519,370 224,770 132,040 124,120 355,620 31,720
Female 327,100 158,570 107,260 100,190 193,550 26,290
Male 192,270 66,190 24,770 23,940 162,070 5,430
Not recorded .. .. .. .. .. ..

This table is included in worksheet 4 of the supporting data tables published with this release.

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. Therefore, care should be taken in calculating claim and non-claim rates from this table.

Definitions used to calculate the number of claims made are given in the background information and methodology document.

Table 6: MNs sent to individuals by Household Type (July 2022 to December 2023)

HH Type Migration Notices sent of which reminders sent Claims of which claimed by initial deadline In progress Closed
All People 519,370 224,770 132,040 124,120 355,620 31,720
Single Adult 173,660 121,840 102,300 94,440 40,070 31,280
Couple 345,720 102,930 29,730 29,680 315,550 440

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. Therefore, care should be taken in calculating claim and non-claim rates from this table.

Definitions used to calculate the number of claims made are given in the background information and methodology document.

Awards of Transitional Protection

Table 7: Households Awarded TP by Month MN Sent (July 2022 to December 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 346,550 173,660 172,900 117,200 102,300 14,900 85,150 80,660 4,490
Jul 2022 850 850 .. 770 770 .. 420 420 ..
Aug 2022 190 190 .. 150 150 .. 90 90 ..
Sep 2022 270 270 .. 200 200 .. 140 140 ..
Oct 2022 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Nov 2022 80 80 .. 60 60 .. 50 50 ..
Dec 2022 100 100 .. 70 70 .. 60 60 ..
Jan 2023 520 520 .. 420 420 .. 330 330 ..
Feb 2023 960 960 .. 720 720 .. 580 580 ..
Mar 2023 1,000 1,000 .. 680 680 .. 540 540 ..
Apr 2023 4,950 4,950 .. 3,620 3,620 .. 2,970 2,970 ..
May 2023 12,810 12,730 80 8,940 8,890 50 7,400 7,380 30
Jun 2023 22,760 22,330 430 17,270 17,040 240 14,510 14,380 130
Jul 2023 26,970 26,970 .. 19,970 19,970 .. 16,490 16,490 ..
Aug 2023 44,500 44,500 .. 32,920 32,920 .. 25,780 25,780 ..
Sep 2023 34,720 29,620 5,110 15,390 14,380 1,000 10,530 10,160 370
Oct 2023 54,900 3,600 51,300 10,050 1,050 9,000 3,250 580 2,670
Nov 2023 65,220 6,260 58,960 4,470 720 3,750 1,580 450 1,130
Dec 2023 75,750 18,730 57,030 1,510 640 860 430 260 170

This table is included in worksheet 8 of the supporting data tables published with this release, along with further breakdowns.

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. Care should also be taken in calculating claim and non-claim rates from this table.

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 December 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 346,550 173,660 172,900 117,200 102,300 14,900 85,150 80,660 4,490
DWP Benefits 1,870 1,700 170 1,230 1,200 20 440 440 ..
Tax Credits Only 344,680 171,950 172,730 115,980 101,100 14,880 84,710 80,220 4,490

This table is included in worksheet 13 of the supporting data tables published with this release.

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. Care should also be taken in calculating claim and non-claim rates from this table.

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 December 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 346,550 173,650 172,890 117,200 102,300 14,900 85,150 80,660 4,490
England 297,820 146,300 151,520 104,410 91,420 12,990 76,460 72,540 3,920
North East 17,370 10,030 7,340 6,100 5,520 580 4,950 4,720 220
North West 63,880 28,550 35,330 22,820 19,700 3,120 16,430 15,530 900
Yorkshire and The Humber 48,440 20,260 28,180 17,860 15,200 2,660 13,370 12,640 730
East Midlands 33,830 16,590 17,240 9,860 8,440 1,420 6,970 6,550 420
West Midlands 9,600 4,370 5,230 3,670 3,220 450 2,870 2,710 160
East of England 23,580 11,720 11,860 9,170 8,020 1,160 6,790 6,440 350
London 36,640 20,110 16,530 14,350 13,100 1,250 9,870 9,610 260
South East 34,610 17,860 16,740 9,590 8,510 1,080 6,980 6,590 380
South West 29,870 16,810 13,060 10,990 9,720 1,280 8,240 7,740 490
Wales 20,380 10,440 9,940 5,030 4,080 950 3,080 2,820 260
Scotland 28,360 16,920 11,440 7,760 6,800 960 5,620 5,300 320

This table is included in worksheets 9 to 12 of the supporting data tables published with this release, along with further breakdowns, including Local Authority District.

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. Care should also be taken in calculating claim and non-claim rates from this table.

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 [email protected].

Press enquiries should be directed to the DWP Press Office: 0115 965 8828. E-mail: [email protected].

Lead Statisticians: Ashley Buckner and Mike Payne

ISBN: 978-1-78659-626-0