Summary
Land & Property Services Statistics Branch is seeking users’ views on the proposal to discontinue the annual publication of ‘Lone Pensioner Allowance (LPA) and Disabled Person’s Allowance (DPA) statistics’ on GOV.UK.
Consultation description
Report
A report on this consultation was published on 22 January 2025. See Outcome of Consultation on User engagement on ‘Lone Pensioner Allowance and Disabled Person’s Allowance’ annual publication on GOV.UK
Background
This consultation provides the opportunity for users to comment on the future of the ‘Lone Pensioner Allowance (LPA) and Disabled Person’s Allowance (DPA) statistics’ annual publication on GOV.UK.
Since 2017, Land & Property Services (LPS) has been publishing data on the number of applications, awards and net amount awarded for LPA and DPA as management information on Open Data NI, before developing this into an Official Statistics publication in 2019.
A recent review of the publication has found that it is of very low interest. Due to pre-release access legislation and restrictions, there have also been delays in providing the data to internal colleagues, when requested, which is contrary to the original intent of the data.
It is therefore proposed to discontinue the ‘Lone Pensioner Allowance (LPA) and Disabled Person’s Allowance (DPA) statistics’ annual publication on GOV.UK. The data will still be published as management information on Open Data NI.
A more detailed outline of the proposals and the rationale behind them can be found further below.
LPS Statistics Branch would welcome your views on the proposal.
You can respond to the consultation using the link below. The survey should take no longer than five minutes to complete. The consultation will close on 17 December 2024.
After the consultation closes, we will consider the responses we receive to decide on whether to implement the proposed changes.
To support transparency in our decision-making process, a summary of the responses to this consultation and any actions taken as a result of the user engagement will be published on Lone Pensioner Allowance (LPA) and Disabled Person's Allowance (DPA) statistics.
Detailed outline of the proposals
The LPA and DPA statistics were first published in 2019 and provide information on the number of applications, awards and net amount awarded for each rating year, including a breakdown by Local Government District and by ratepayer type. The publication was developed for internal stakeholders to assist with monitoring, planning outreach activities and for financial planning.
Reason for proposed change
Since 2017, LPS have been publishing data on the number of applications, awards and net amount awarded for LPA and DPA as management information on Open Data NI, before developing this into an Official Statistics publication in 2019. The data on Open Data NI can be found belwo.
- Lone Pensioner Allowance Statistics - Open Data NI
- Disabled Persons Allowance Statistics - Open Data NI
LPS propose to discontinue publishing this as an Official Statistic for the following reasons:
- As per the Code of Practice we continually review our publications to ensure they remain relevant to users. A recent review of the LPA and DPA publication, including web analytics, highlighted it is of very low interest.
- Due to pre-release access legislation and restrictions on providing data which will be part of an Official Statistics publication prior to publication, we have been unable to provide data to internal colleagues on occasion. This goes against the intent of the data, which was for internal use and business planning.
LPS will instead continue to publish the data as management information on Open Data NI annually, within a few weeks of the end of the Rating Year, which provides all of the data that is published as part of the Official Statistics report.
Why we are consulting
LPS Statistics Branch welcome your views on this proposal and how it may affect you.
You can respond to the proposal by completing the online survey. It should take no longer than five minutes to complete. The consultation will close on 17 December 2024.
What happens next?
After the consultation closes, we will consider the responses we receive to decide on whether to implement the proposed changes. Update 22 January 2025, this report has now been published. See Outcome of Consultation on User engagement on ‘Lone Pensioner Allowance and Disabled Person’s Allowance’ annual publication on GOV.UK
To support transparency in our decision-making process, a summary of the responses to this consultation will be made public.
Ways to respond
Consultation closed — responses are no longer being accepted.