Statistics: Benefit expenditure and caseload tables 2013

These notes and tables are consistent with the Autumn Statement 2013 (5 December 2013), unless specified otherwise. They provide details of forecasts produced under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

Historic figures have been collated from departmental reports and accounts of DWP and its predecessor departments, and make use of statistical data collected from DWP’s benefit administration systems where necessary to provide further disaggregation.

Historic expenditure figures may differ from those published in the accounts due to differing definitions and the inclusion of data that has become available since. Historic caseload data also comes from statistical reports, although may differ from published figures because these tables provide estimates for financial years, rather than point-in-time figures. Some historical information will differ from that previously published on these pages, as new information has become available and/or methods for breaking down expenditure have been improved.

While every effort has been made to ensure as consistent a series as possible, care needs to be exercised in interpreting all figures as expenditure in certain areas has transferred between government departments and it has not always been possible to identify the impact such transfers have had on expenditure.

Forecasts have been produced using a number of techniques appropriate to the particular benefits, taking into account demographic, economic, social and policy factors.

Long term projections of pensioner benefits

The latest Long term projections of pensioner benefits were published in July 2013. These projections include the single-tier pension reforms which are part of the Pensions Bill currently before parliament.