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<p>Details of the plan for the publication of ethnicity data for Universal Credit
claimants can be found under the heading of ‘Ethnicity for Universal Credit claimants’
in the background information section of the ‘Universal Credit Statistics Background
Information & Methodology’ document on the GOV.UK website which can be accessed
in the Library of the House.</p><p> </p><p>For reporting on and interpreting non-mandatory
self-declared diversity fields, the minimum threshold set by the Department for Work
and Pensions is a completion rate of 70%. The level of non-completion represents both
the level of uncertainty around the figures and also means the likelihood of responder
bias is more prominent. The effect of responder bias could be quite substantial, yet
unquantifiable. Therefore, any attempt to infer meaning from these figures until they
reach a minimum level of completion would likely be misleading.</p><p> </p><p>The
minimum level of 70% has been determined by analysis of the completion rates for those
on Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). Ethnicity
breakdowns have been published for JSA since August 2007, with a completion rate at
the time of 90%, and for ESA since November 2008, with a completion rate of 74%. Due
to this the threshold of 70% was chosen as the minimum level required before publication
can be considered. Once the minimum threshold is achieved analysis will be performed
to check the data is of sufficient quality to publish.</p><p> </p><p>Meanwhile, work
is on-going to improve the completion rate. The approach to capturing ethnicity information
is being addressed to ensure that claimants are supported in providing the information.
Claimants can be reassured that ethnicity information is used solely for statistical
purposes in an aggregate fashion, non-attributable to individuals</p>
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