Consultation on changes to Jobcentre Plus vacancy statistics

In late autumn 2012, there will be fundamental changes in Jobcentre Plus handling of employer vacancies and services in support of job search. The existing source of administrative data is being decommissioned. This means that existing National Statistics on Jobcentre Plus vacancies will cease and there will be no further releases on Nomis.

A new service will be introduced to provide job search services to all jobseekers and not just those who use the services of Jobcentre Plus. It is also likely to have a wider range of vacancies than just those currently notified to DWP. As part of this, the provider will make available internet-based statistics that will be available to everyone on a daily basis. This will provide wider coverage than the existing statistics with timely and frequent updates. However, definitions will not be consistent with the existing series and coverage is likely to develop as the new system beds in.

DWP have opened a consultation with users of the statistics on 15 August to see if there are any user needs that will not be met by the new system and whether there is anything else they need to help make the transition. This will run for 13 weeks until 14 November 2012.

The consultation can be found in the "Focus On…" article on page 4 of the August 2012 DWP Statistical Summary publication.