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ANNEX 3: DATA SOURCES FOR EVALUATING CTOG OBJECTIVES
CtOG Objective 1 - To increase the chances of sustained employment for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups - in order to lift them permanently out of poverty
3.01 Overview of data: The available data provides a strong basis for assessing changes in employment rates during the CtOG programme, and assessing the overall chances of people in Scotland being in employment. DWP statistics (Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study basis) will now enable analysis of actual employment, earnings and claimant rates, with the opportunity to disaggregate findings by particular local geographies, such as intermediate data zones and data zones. The Labour Force Survey/Annual Population Survey and the British Household Panel survey will also allow consideration of changes in a wide range of employability measures at local authority level and above. The increasing availability of longitudinal data enables assessment of whether employment is sustained, and the poverty exit is permanent, and more robust estimation of the chances of vulnerable or disadvantaged groups exiting poverty.
3.02 At present (December 2005) DWP benefit statistics are limited to numbers on benefits (stock levels) with the exception of a range of flow data (including moves into jobs) for Jobseeker's Allowance leavers. Information on flows from all working age benefits into work is expected to become available in the course of 2006, and then be published quarterly. There is as yet no timetable for publication of linked earnings figures of benefit leavers. The Scottish Executive, as a significant user of such information, could negotiate on content and dates of availability. The Annual Population Survey is a continuous survey based on the Labour Force Survey questionnaire, and is published quarterly for the preceding year (overlapping quarters).
3.03 Data coverage: Data from the DWP Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study can be disaggregated, subject to disclosure control on individually identifiable data, to Intermediate Data Zone and Data Zone level. Data from the Annual Population Survey (formerly Local Area Labour Force Survey) can be disaggregated to local authority and Scottish Parliament Constituency level.
3.04 Data gaps and limitations of data: There is no specific survey looking specifically at employability amongst those who face the greatest disadvantage in the labour market, analysis of the work and pensions longitudinal study could however enable trends amongst particular groups of people (for example lone parents) to be determined. DWP earnings data, the strongest sources of income data, may not yet be available when the synthesis report is published.
3.05 Overall assessment of data coverage for Objective 1: Data availability has substantially improved recently, and can now be classified as good. When earnings information from the DWP's Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study becomes available, this assessment could be raised to excellent. A full assessment is provided in table A3.1
CtOG Objective 2 - To improve the confidence and skills of the most disadvantaged children and young people - in order to provide them with the greatest chance of avoiding poverty when they leave school
3.06 Overview of data: The available data provides a strong basis for assessing changes in the skills of the most disadvantaged young people during the CtOG programme. There are also several data sources that allow for analysis of change in school leaver destinations. Data on children and young people's confidence is limited to findings from some infrequent Scottish health surveys and the British Youth Panel Survey (which only has a relatively small Scottish sample). There is also a lack of longitudinal data considering outcomes for children and young people over time, which would be the best means to measure CtOG's impacts upon the chances of children and young people entering poverty in the future. This could be partly compensated for by undertaking annual analyses of Labour Force Survey data for 17, 18 and 19 year olds.
3.07 Data coverage: Data on educational achievements is available at a school level, via SQA data, local authority level, provided by the Scottish School Leavers Survey, and from the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation at a data zone level. School leaver destinations data is less complete, covering leavers from public and independent schools but only partial data from special schools. Possibilities for analysis on the leaver destinations will increase from 2007 when the Scottish Executive hopes to get pupil level data. Data on confidence comes from national health surveys, which are comprehensive in their coverage, but have infrequent data collection sweeps.
3.08 Data gaps and limitations of the available data: Data from children and young people themselves, relating in particular to their confidence, is limited. The British Youth Panel survey has a small sample of young people aged 11-15 in Scotland. Placing specific questions in surveys being undertaken during the CtOG delivery period could improve the relevance of the data collected. If necessary, a boost to the Scottish survey sample (for example in areas of particular disadvantage) could also improve data relevance. School leaver destination data is not available for all children and young people in Scotland, and it limited to immediate destinations. Consideration could be given to making better use of Careers Scotland data (as per Target B) to supplement this data. In the longer term improved longitudinal tracking of young people leaving school could be considered.
3.09 Overall assessment of data coverage for Objective 2: Data availability is better for some aspects of the Objective (young people's skills and qualifications) than others (young people's changes of entering poverty once they leave school and children and young people's confidence). At the moment there is adequate data to assess progress towards the Objective, but room for some significant improvements. A full assessment is provided in table A3.2
CtOG Objective 3 - To reduce the vulnerability of low income families to financial exclusion and multiple debts - in order to prevent them becoming over-indebted and/or to lift them out of poverty
3.10 Overview of data: The available data provides a wide range of information on financial exclusion in Scotland. Several longitudinal surveys contain specific questions on credit use, family expenditure and saving. The Families and Children Study ( FACS) and the Family Resources survey are annual, and the Scottish Household Survey ( SHS) is continuous. Insolvency statistics, consumer credit data and calls to debt helplines are additional data sources that could be considered to supplement these statistics. These provide both strong baseline information and a good opportunity for an ongoing assessment of change in the level of financial exclusion in Scotland.
3.11 Using the available data to measure progress against the precise Objective is however more complex. It is important to define 'vulnerability' to financial exclusion and multiple debts needs to be defined. Tracking the number of families who feel they are nearing a situation of financial exclusion, with reference to data from the SHS and FACS is one means by which this could be done. A better means could be to boost the Scottish sample of the MORI financial services survey, which asks a range of questions related to levels of debt, risk of indebtedness and types of credit. In the longer term the ONS Wealth and Assets survey will be a key means to obtain such information. If vulnerability to financial exclusion is considered to mean low income SIMD income deprivation figures could also be used.
3.12 Data coverage: All longitudinal survey data referred to above can be disaggregated to a local authority level, and SIMD income deprivation figures are available at a data zone level.
3.13 Data gaps and limitations of the available data: The Scottish sample size for the 2004 MORI survey is too small to provide conclusive data. Whilst this could be partially addressed by a re-run of the survey with a larger sample, it limits the strength of the existing baseline. The ONS wealth and assets survey will significantly improve the evidence base, but top-level findings will not be available until the end of 2007, making them too late for inclusion in the synthesis report.
3.14 Overall assessment of data coverage for Objective 3: Overall data availability is adequate, with the potential to improve significantly as data from the new ONS Wealth and Assets Survey becomes available.
CtOG Objective 4 - To regenerate the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods - in order that people living there can take advantage of job opportunities and improve their quality of life
3.15 Overview of data: The available data provides a strong basis for assessing quality of life in deprived areas over the course of the CtOG programme, with the Scottish Household survey and SIMD indicators in particular covering a wide range of relevant areas. Although the Millennium Cohort Study also covers a wide range of relevant issues, its utility is slightly limited by the time lag between data collection and availability. The timing is also slightly out of balance with the overall operation of CtOG. A further data sources is the independent poverty analysis carried out bi-annually by NPI/ JRF. Their social cohesion indicator includes measures such as concentrations of poverty, feeling involved and dissatisfaction with local areas, which combine to provide a strong measure of changes in quality of life. It is not however possible to disaggregate this data by local area.
3.16 The Scottish Household survey also includes some employment data. However, measuring whether people are able to take advantage of job opportunities would best be done through reference to Objective 1 monitoring sources, primarily DWP administrative statistics.
3.17 Data coverage: Scottish Household survey data can be disaggregated by local authority area, and SIMD and DWP administrative data can be disaggregated to a datazone level. It will therefore be possible to determine outcomes for the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods. CPP People's Panel data may, depending upon its content and frequency, also prove useful .
3.18 Data gaps and limitations of the available data: There are no significant gaps in the data necessary to measure progress towards this target.
3.19 Overall assessment of data coverage for Objective 4: Data availability is good for both the quality of life and employment aspects of the Objective.
CtOG Objective 5 - To increase the rate of improvement of the health status of people living in the most deprived communities - in order to improve their quality of life, including their employability prospects
3.20 Overview of data: The available data provides a strong basis for assessing changes in the health of people living in the most deprived communities in Scotland, with the SIMD and Scottish Household survey providing strong sources of relevant local level data. High quality local data on quality of life and employment in deprived areas are also available as outlined under Objectives 1 and 4. In addition, the Scottish Household survey contains a number of questions that could allow the causal relationship between health and employment to be explored.
3.21 Data coverage: SIMD and Scottish Household survey data can be disaggregated to a data zone level.
3.22 Data gaps and limitations of the available data: As with Objective 4, the difficulty is in using the data to make a direct link between improved health outcomes and employment prospects. This can only be done to a limited extent via the Scottish Household Survey. Asking about the impacts of health upon employment in the Scottish Health survey could help to address this issue. DWP administrative data (as outlined under Objective 1) on Incapacity Benefit claims could also be utilised.
3.23 Overall assessment of data coverage for Objective 5: Data availability is excellent for health indicators, and good for both the quality of life and employment aspects of the Objective.
CtOG Objective 6 - To improve access to high quality services for the most disadvantaged groups and individuals in rural communities - in order to improve their quality of life and enhance their access to opportunity
3.24 Overview of data: The available data provides a good means to measure access to services for disadvantaged groups in rural communities. Service availability can be measured via the Scottish Household Survey, and, most comprehensively, by the SIMD. In 2001 a full analysis of availability of services in rural areas was undertaken. Consideration could be given to repeating this exercise, through independent analysis or use of the Ordnance Survey 'Points of View' dataset.
3.25 Measuring quality of services is more complex, but is possible using data from Audit Scotland, and satisfaction data from the SHS and the JRF/ NPI analysis.
3.26 Measuring access to opportunity clearly depends upon how 'opportunity' is defined. Measuring change amongst groups and individuals in rural communities in areas such as employment or education could be done via Labour Force survey data, referred to under Objective 1. Similarly quality of life could me measured using the data sets referred to under Objective four. The difficulty comes in establishing whether improved services are responsible for those changes. This could partially be addressed through disaggregating SHS data. The best means to assess impact would however be to commission a survey on views of public services in rural areas. In addition to considering impact this could also improve data on public satisfaction. MORI social policy monitor may provide one means to do this relatively easily.
3.27 Data coverage: SIMD data can be disaggregated to a data zone level, and the SHS analysis can be analysed by local authority. If new survey work were commissioned it would be useful to enable disaggregation to data zone level, to ensure that the views of all rural communities and individuals could be included.
3.28 Data gaps and limitations of the available data: The available data may however not be specific enough to enable full analysis of changes in specific types of public service provision for people rural areas. Similarly, information on the experiences of customers in rural areas is not routinely collected from providers - customer satisfaction surveys with specific types of services (for example Jobcentre Plus) cannot be disaggregated by local authority area.
3.29 Overall assessment of data coverage for Objective 6: Overall data coverage is adequate, but would be significantly improved were more comprehensive data available on people's experiences and views of public services in rural areas.
Table A3.1 CtOG Objective 1 - To increase the chances of sustained employment for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups - in order to lift them permanently out of poverty
Name of data source | Availability of data | Data coverage | Key issues covered | Relevance (synthesis report and evaluation) |
|---|
DWP quarterly returns | DWP, 6 months following collection. | National | Numbers of people on active and inactive benefits for each Scottish local authority area. | High |
Work and pensions longitudinal study | Access has to be negotiated with DWP. | 100% administrative data from DWP and Inland Revenue. | The WPLS enables longitudinal analysis of people moving between benefit receipt and work. All benefits are covered so moved by lone parents and incapacity benefit claimants can be monitored separately. In November 2005 it was announced that in the future the survey will also include earnings data, providing a strong basis for measuring the extent of in work poverty across Scotland. | High (although earnings data may not be available in time for inclusion in the synthesis report). |
Labour Force Survey | Quarterly returns, available 3 months after collection. Strong baseline as collected since 1992. | Full geographic coverage across Scotland (includes islands and rural areas). | Employability and employment measures including education and training, reasons for not wanting to work, labour mobility and health. | High |
ESRC Millennium Cohort Survey | Second sweep December 2003. Third sweep will be November 2005.
Likely to be repeated bi-annually - November 2007 and November 2009.
Significant time lag between data collection and availability, 2003 data not yet available. 2007 data could therefore be included in the overall evaluation report. | Study of 15,000 babies born in the UK over a 12-month period. Longitudinal study of the cohort. Some possibility for comparative. analysis of deprivation levels amongst the cohort as CtOG progresses. Scottish sample size: 2,500. Boost samples in areas of high deprivation. | Parents' education, parents' employment, parents' income, and use of local services. | Medium, some concerns with data availability. |
British Household Panel Survey | Undertaken annually in September Data is available approximately 6 months after collection. Could therefore inform both the overall evaluation and the synthesis report. | Scottish sample of 1500 households. Can be disaggregated by local authority district. | Core questions on employment and on employment and health. | High |
Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation | The SIMD 2004 is the first output from the 'long term strategy for measuring deprivation' that was developed in partnership with the Scottish Centre for Research on Social Justice.
The majority of 2004 data represents the situation as of 2002. The 2004 report became available on 14th June of the same year. The 2007 report, representing the situation as of 2005, should be available for inclusion in the synthesis report. | The SIMD provides a detailed measure of area based poverty and deprivation, dividing Scotland into 6,500 data zones. It therefore allows progress towards poverty reduction to be considered at particular local levels as well as providing a comprehensive national picture. | The index brings together 31 different indicators that cover specific aspects of deprivation, including Current Income and Employment. | High, although considerable lag between data collection and availability. |
Joseph Rowntree Foundation/ NPI - annual review of poverty indicators | Bi-annually, published towards the end of each year and accessible for free via the Joseph Rowntree Foundation website. The first analysis was undertaken in 2002, with a further analysis published in 2004. Interim analyses are available annually. The next full report will be available towards the end of 2006. | The review provides
independent analysis of poverty and social exclusion from a wide range of sources, including government funded surveys, some administrative data and local and health authority returns. In all cases the indicators use the latest data that is available. This is typically from the year of publication, or the year immediately prior to publication. The authors state clearly where a lack of data has any impact upon the quality of their analysis. | Poverty and social exclusion indicators are considered a range of indicators, including poverty and low income. | High. The focus upon low pay is important, as it will allow for analysis of the extent to which entering employment has acted as a means to reduce poverty. |
Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings ( ASHE) | The ASHE is a new survey developed to replace the New Earnings Survey ( NES) from 2004, including improvements to the coverage of employees, imputation for item non-response and the weighting of earnings estimates.
It is undertaken annually, towards the end of each year. 2005 data were available on 10th November 2005.
2005 results are continuous with those for the 2004 New Earnings Survey, but discontinuous with results from previous years. 2004 data therefore provides the best baseline. | The sample is based upon a 1% sample of employee jobs across the UK. The results are weighted to the numbers of jobs given in the Labour Force Survey. | The survey provides information about the levels, distribution and make-up of earnings and hours worked for employees in all industries and occupations. | High, with particular relevance to the poverty reduction aspect of the objective. |
Table A3.2 CtOG Objective 2 - To improve the confidence and skills of the most disadvantaged children and young people - in order to provide them with the greatest chance of avoiding poverty when they leave school
Name of survey | Availability of data | Coverage | Issues covered | Relevance (synthesis report and evaluation) |
|---|
SQA Attainment and School Leaver Qualifications in Scotland | Available annually, via Scottish Executive. | All publicly funded schools. | Attainment of children and young people in Scottish schools. Can be disaggregated by particular groups including looked after children, refugees and asylum seekers and children with a record of need/individual education plan. | High |
Destinations of leavers from Scottish Schools | Available annually, approximately 2 months following data collection. | School leavers from public and independent schools, but only partial information from special schools. The weakness of this survey is that it doesn't track outcomes over time. | Known destinations of school leavers at the count date. | High, although outcomes are not tracked over time. |
British Youth Panel Survey | Undertaken annually in September
Data is available approximately
6 months after collection. Could therefore inform both the overall evaluation and the synthesis report. | Supplement to British Household Panel Survey. 700 - 800 young people throughout the UK. Scottish sample small. High response rate (89% last sweep). | Mix of core and non-core questions. | High. Relevance could be further increased by placing specific questions relating to young people's confidence and expectations, and boosting Scottish sample size. |
Scottish School Leavers Survey | Every 2 years, most recent sweep 2003 - 2004, became available March 2005.
Future sweeps during CtOG are 2005 - 2006, 2007 - 2008. | Starting sample of 12,000, 6,500 for each new cohort.
Can be disaggregated by councils in Scotland. | Includes a range of attitudinal and behavioural questions, in addition to covering employment and educational activities. | High |
Families and Children Study | Annually.
Nov 2004 - Dec 2005 data will be available summer 2006. | 711 adult respondents in Scotland. 711 adult respondents in Scotland. Children aged 11-15 are also now included in the study and asked to complete a questionnaire. The study is longitudinal. | Covers wide range of issues concerning work incentives and family welfare. | High, as one of the only available means to assess the chances of children and young people entering poverty once they leave school. |
Health behaviours of Scottish school children | Every 4 years.
Most recent sweep was 2002, which provides a good baseline.
Dissemination approximately one year after collection.
2006 and 2010 sweeps. | 4000 - 5500 per year (varies annually as unit is the class, not the individual). | Background factors: demographics, social background (family structure, socio-economic status), maturation
Individual and social resources: body image, family support, peers, school environment
Health behaviours: physical activity, eating and dieting, smoking, alcohol use, cannabis use, sexual behaviour, violence and bullying, injuries
Health outcomes: symptoms, life satisfaction, self-reported health, Body Mass Index
May be opportunity for supplementary questions. | Medium, as although questions are of high relevance data collection is infrequent. |
Assessment of Achievement programme and Scottish survey of achievement | Annual data collection, rotates on subject matter - is being replaced this year (2005) by the Scottish Survey of Achievement.
Will be available every year during CtOG. | Up to 9000 people. Small schools are now included in the survey. | Monitoring of children's achievements in maths, English, English language. social subjects and science. | Medium, as rotation of subject matter limits opportunities for comparative analysis during CtOG period. |
Scottish Health Survey | Every 3 years. Most recent sweep 2003. Will be repeated 2006 and 2009.
Some time lag with data availability (around 2 years) but is sponsored by Scottish Executive so may be faster. | Includes responses from 4000 children, including respondents from islands and rural areas. | Wide range of information on health and dietary conditions and risks | Medium, as time lag between data collection and availability and infrequent data collection. Questions also only of medium direct relevance. |
Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation | The SIMD 2004 is the first output from the 'long term strategy for measuring deprivation' that was developed in partnership with the Scottish Centre for Research on Social Justice.
The majority of 2004 data represents the situation as of 2002. The 2004 report became available on 14th June of the same year. | The SIMD provides a detailed measure of area based poverty and deprivation, dividing Scotland into 6,500 data zones. It therefore allows progress towards poverty reduction to be considered at particular local levels as well as providing a comprehensive national picture. | The index brings together 31 different indicators that cover specific aspects of deprivation, including Education, Skills and Training. | High, as a means to measure educational outcomes. |
Joseph Rowntree Foundation/ NPI - annual review of poverty indicators | Bi-annually, published towards the end of each year and accessible for free via the Joseph Rowntree Foundation website. The first analysis was undertaken in 2002, with a further analysis published in 2004. Interim analyses are available annually. The next full report will be available towards the end of 2006. | The review provides independent analysis of poverty and social exclusion from a wide range of sources, including government funded surveys, some administrative data and local and health authority returns.
In all cases the indicators use the latest data that is available. This is typically from the year of publication, or the year immediately prior to publication. The authors state clearly where a lack of data has any impact upon the quality of their analysis. | Poverty and social exclusion indicators are considered a range of indicators, including work and education. | High, as one of the only means to measure chances of entering poverty. |
Labour Force Survey | Quarterly returns, available 3 months after collection. Strong baseline as collected since 1995. | Full geographic coverage across Scotland (includes islands and rural areas). | Employability and employment measures including education and training, reasons for not wanting to work, labour mobility and health. | High, as annual analysis of education, training and employment outcomes could
be used to compensate for lack of longitudinal data on school leaver destinations. |
Table A3.3 CtOG Objective 3 - To reduce the vulnerability of low income families to financial exclusion and multiple debts - in order to prevent them becoming over-indebted and/or to lift them out of poverty
Name of survey | Availability of data | Coverage | Issues covered | Relevance (synthesis report and evaluation) |
|---|
Families and Children Study | Annual.
Strong baseline as a longitudinal survey. Nov 2004 - Dec 2005 data will be available summer 2006. | 711 adult respondents in Scotland. Children aged 11-15 are also now included in the study and asked to complete a questionnaire. | Covers work incentives and family welfare (accommodation family health, morale and optimism and avoidance of hardship and debt). | High, particularly with regard to assessing changing vulnerability to financial exclusion. |
Family Resources Survey | Annual. Fieldwork lasts a year and is released a year later.
Good baseline and strong for performance monitoring. | 2000 households in Scotland, from 2001 extended to cover Highlands and Islands. | Household and individual characteristics, housing, income, family expenditure and costs of housing/transport etc. | High |
Scottish Household Survey | Continuous, data collected every 3 months across Scotland. 9-month gap between collection and availability.
Strong baseline for some aspects of the Objective, and opportunities for ongoing assessment. | 15,500 respondents interviewed annually across Scotland. Can be disaggregated by local authority area. | Household demographics, property, use of services, community participation. Range of questions on quality of life, credit use, financial services and saving.
New questions on access to credit and borrowing money were added for the 2005 fieldwork. | High |
Joseph Rowntree Foundation/ NPI - annual review of poverty indicators | Bi-annually, published towards the end of each year and accessible for free via the Joseph Rowntree Foundation website. The first analysis was undertaken in 2002, with a further analysis published in 2004. Interim analyses are available annually. The next full report will be available towards the end of 2006. | The review provides
independent analysis of poverty and social exclusion from a wide range of sources, including government funded surveys, some administrative data and local and health authority returns.
In all cases the indicators use the latest data that is available. This is typically from the year of publication, or the year immediately prior to publication. The authors state clearly where a lack of data has any impact upon the quality of their analysis. | Poverty and social exclusion indicators are considered a range of indicators, including quality of life and social cohesion. This includes a specific indicator on financial services. | High. |
MORI financial services survey 2004 | The Department of Trade and Industry commissioned this one off survey from MORI in Spring 2004, with the fieldwork undertaken in the last 5 months of 2004. The data became publicly available on 1st June 2005. The total sample size taken by MORI was approximately 10,000 for the whole UK, but this was reduced to around 7000 when people who were under 18 or did not state their income were removed.
The sample was representative of the respective populations in the constituent nations of the UK. Based on this it is estimated that 8.3% of respondents are from Scotland. This is equivalent to a sample of 583 for Scotland. Given that only around one in ten respondents were over indebted this means the sample included less than one hundred over indebted individuals in Scotland.
There are plans to repeat the survey next year. The DTI will be approaching the Scottish Executive directly to ask if they are interested in boosting the Scottish sample.
The full datasets are held by MORI but sharing them with the Scottish Executive should only be a formality, incurring no extra costs. | UK wide | The survey covers a wide range of themes: how to identify indebtedness; which population groups are in most debt; how the situation is changing; how many people are at risk from indebtedness; who has got which type of credit and whether people are aware of how much they owe. | Medium, as although high question relevance the Scottish sample is very low. If the Scottish sample for the 2006 survey were boosted relevance would increase. |
ONS Wealth and Indebtedness survey | Department of Trade and Industry and currently working with ONS to secure a longitudinal survey of wealth and assets. The first fieldwork will be taking place during mid-2006 with top-level results available from the end of 2007. The SE is represented at the Working Group for the Survey, through statisticians in the Office of the Chief Economist ( OCEA). | UK wide | Questions are not yet available but the survey will be of clear relevance. Areas covered will include:
Socio-demographic variables; Income from all sources; Business assets; Attitudes to Saving and Borrowing; Major items of expenditure; Retirement plans/reasons for retirement and Pensions and reasons for not contributing
Further questions will cover:
Financial Assets (accounts, Current account debt, investments); Non-mortgage debt; Ownership of additional property; Financial management/awareness; Financial Expectations; Children's Income and Assets; Inheritance (including attitudes to inheritance); Trust; Health and caring; NI numbers of participants. | High, although data will not be available for the synthesis report. |
Council of Mortgage lenders | The statistics are available half yearly. | UK wide | Statistics on mortgage possession orders. | Low as no possibility of disaggregating data. |
Bank of England statistics | These statistics are available monthly from the Bank of England. Statistics for each month are available at the end of the following month.
These cannot however be disaggregated by nation. | UK wide | Growth in unsecured lending and UK bank write offs. | Low as no possibility of disaggregating data. |
Insolvency statistics | Available quarterly. Each quarter's statistics are released at 9.30am on the first Friday of the second month after the end of the quarter in question.
Scotland specific data are available. | GB wide. | Number of insolvencies in Scotland. | Medium, as one particular means to measure trends in extreme financial exclusion across Scotland. |
Consumer credit and debt data | Monthly, from ONS. Data for each month is available towards the end of the next month. | UK wide | These estimates bring together data on consumer credit and other households borrowing. Their main purpose is to provide information on a measure of consumer credit defined, in principle, as borrowing by consumers (i.e. the household sector excluding sole proprietors, partnerships and non-profit making bodies serving households) to finance current expenditure on goods and services; and to show how it compares with total households borrowing. Short-term borrowing akin to trade credit is excluded. | |
Calls/clients/client contacts to national debt help line | Not publicly available but may be possible to access, as DTI have negotiated use for national data. Not clear if data can be disaggregated by nation. | UK wide | Exact content of data would have to be discussed with national debt helpline. | Medium if access can be negotiated. |
Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation | The SIMD 2004 is the first output from the 'long term strategy for measuring deprivation' that was developed in partnership with the Scottish Centre for Research on Social Justice.
The majority of 2004 data represents the situation as of 2002. The 2004 report became available on 14th June of the same year. The 2007 report, representing the situation as of 2005, should be available for inclusion in the synthesis report. | The SIMD provides a detailed measure of area based poverty and deprivation, dividing Scotland into 6,500 data zones. It therefore allows progress towards poverty reduction to be considered at particular local levels as well as providing a comprehensive national picture. | The index brings together 31 different indicators that cover specific aspects of deprivation, including Current Income. | High, although considerable lag between data collection and availability. |
Table A3.4 CtOG Objective 4 - To regenerate the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods - in order that people living there can take advantage of job opportunities and improve their quality of life
Name of survey | Availability of data | Coverage | Issues covered | Relevance (synthesis report and evaluation) |
|---|
Scottish Household Survey | Continuous, data collected every 3 months across Scotland. 9-month gap between collection and availability.
Strong baseline, also providing opportunities for ongoing assessment. | 15,500 respondents interviewed annually across Scotland. Can be disaggregated by local authority area. | Household demographics, property, use of services, community participation. Range of questions on quality of life. | High |
ESRC Millennium Cohort Survey | Second sweep December 2003. Third sweep will be November 2005. The survey is likely to be repeated bi-annually - November 2007 and November 2009.
There is a significant time lag between data collection and availability, 2003 data not yet available. 2007 data could therefore be included in the overall evaluation report. | Study of 15,000 babies born in the UK over a 12-month period. Longitudinal study of the cohort. Some possibility for comparative analysis of deprivation levels amongst the cohort as CtOG progresses. Scottish sample size is 2,500, including boost samples in areas of high deprivation.
Data can be disaggregated by individual, and therefore (given the quality of the geographical coding) by datazone. | Sections covered include social capital, participation including community activities, political participation, social relationships and use of local services and facilities. | Medium, despite high question relevance significant time lag between data collection and release |
Community Planning Partnership people's panels | Data collection is specific to each CPP. The transition from Social Inclusion Partnerships ( SIPs) to Community Planning Partnerships ( CPPs) is ongoing, it seems likely however that SIP people's panels will continue to exist in a similar format under the CPP structure. The frequency and type of information collected will however be specific to each CPP. | A panel of residents in each CPP areas. | The People's Panels in their previous form covered a wide range of issues related to community regeneration and quality of life. It is likely that under the CPP structure a similar range of issues will be included. | Medium, as dependent upon quality, consistency and type
of work undertaken locally. |
Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation | The SIMD 2004 is the first output from the 'long term strategy for measuring deprivation' that was developed in partnership with the Scottish Centre for Research on Social Justice.
The majority of 2004 data represents the situation as of 2002. The 2004 report became available on 14th June of the same year. report, representing the situation as of 2005, should be available for inclusion in the synthesis report. | The SIMD provides a detailed measure of area based poverty and deprivation, dividing Scotland into 6,500 data zones. It therefore allows progress towards poverty reduction to be considered at particular local levels as well as providing a comprehensive national picture. | The index brings together 31 different indicators that cover specific aspects of deprivation, including Housing and Access to local services. | High |
Joseph Rowntree Foundation/ NPI - annual review of poverty indicators | Bi-annually, published towards the end of each year and accessible for free via the Joseph Rowntree Foundation website. The first analysis was undertaken in 2002, with a further analysis published in 2004. Interim analyses are available annually. The next full report will be available towards the end of 2006. | The review provides
independent analysis of poverty and social exclusion from a wide range of sources, including government funded surveys, some administrative data and local and health authority returns.
In all cases the indicators use the latest data that is available. This is typically from the year of publication, or the year immediately prior to publication. The authors state clearly where a lack of data has any impact upon the quality of their analysis. | Poverty and social exclusion indicators are considered a range of indicators, including quality of life and social cohesion. | High |
Audit Scotland Comprehensive Performance Assessment data | Audit Scotland produce annual performance assessments of Scotland's councils. Full information on the 2003/04 assessment was available by February 2005. | Each local authority in Scotland. | The following services are considered: adult social work, benefits administration, cultural and community services, children's services, corporate management, development services, fire brigades, housing, police, protective services, roads and lighting and waste management. | Medium, not of direct relevance but may be useful contextual data. |
Table A3.5 CtOG Objective 5 - To increase the rate of improvement of the health status of people living in the most deprived communities - in order to improve their quality of life, including their employability prospects
Name of survey | Availability of data | Coverage | Issues covered | Relevance (synthesis report and evaluation) |
|---|
Scottish Health statistics | Annual data available from NHS Scotland and Health Education Board Scotland can be disaggregated to health board level. | National | A wide range of health indicators is included, including disease incidence and mortality rates. | High |
Scottish Household Survey | Continuous, data collected every 3 months across Scotland. 9-month gap between collection and availability.
Strong baseline and opportunities for ongoing assessment. | 15,500 respondents interviewed annually across Scotland. Can be disaggregated by local authority area. | Household demographics, property, use of services, community participation. Range of questions on quality of life.
The survey contains some questions on employability and disability, including whether respondents left work due to disability, when they last worked (if not in work), and whether they could start work within the next two weeks (if not in work). | High |
Scottish Health Survey | Every 3 years. Most recent sweep 2003. Will be repeated 2006 and 2009.
Some time lag with data availability (around 2 years) but is sponsored by Scottish Executive so may be faster. | 9000 adults. | Wide range of information on health and dietary conditions and risks | Medium, due to time lag between data collection and release and infrequent data collection. |
Health Education Population Survey | Twice yearly.
One year between data collection and dissemination. | 5400, however only South of the Caledonian canal. | Knowledge of causes of ill health, health attitudes, health behaviours | High |
Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation | The SIMD 2004 is the first output from the 'long term strategy for measuring deprivation' that was developed in partnership with the Scottish Centre for Research on Social Justice.
The majority of 2004 data represents the situation as of 2002. The 2004 report became available on 14th June of the same year. The 2007 report, representing the situation as of 2005, should be available for inclusion in the synthesis report. | The SIMD provides a detailed measure of area based poverty and deprivation, dividing Scotland into 6,500 data zones. It therefore allows progress towards poverty reduction to be considered at particular local levels as well as providing a comprehensive national picture. | The index brings together 31 different indicators that cover specific aspects of deprivation, including Health Deprivation. | High |
Joseph Rowntree Foundation/ NPI - annual review of poverty indicators | Bi-annually, published towards the end of each year and accessible for free via the Joseph Rowntree Foundation website. The first analysis was undertaken in 2002, with a further analysis published in 2004. Interim analyses are available annually. The next full report will be available towards the end of 2006. | The review provides
independent analysis of poverty and social exclusion from a wide range of sources, including government funded surveys, some administrative data and local and health authority returns.
In all cases the indicators use the latest data that is available. This is typically from the year of publication, or the year immediately prior to publication. The authors state clearly where a lack of data has any impact upon the quality of their analysis. | Poverty and social exclusion indicators are considered a range of indicators, including a large number of health indicators. | High. |
Work and pensions longitudinal study. | Access has to be negotiated with DWP | 100% administrative data from DWP and Inland Revenue | The WPLS enables longitudinal analysis of people moving between benefit receipt and work. All benefits are covered so moved by lone parents and incapacity benefit (IB) claimants can be monitored separately. | High, as movement from IB into employment could give some indication of the causal relationship between health and employment. |
Table A3.6 CtOG Objective 6 - To improve access to high quality services for the most disadvantaged groups and individuals in rural communities - in order to improve their quality of life and enhance their access to opportunity
Name of survey | Availability of data | Coverage | Issues covered | Relevance (synthesis report and evaluation) |
|---|
ESRC Millennium Cohort Survey | Second sweep December 2003. Third sweep will be November 2005.
Likely to be repeated bi-annually - November 2007 and November 2009. Significant time lag between data collection and availability, 2003 data not yet available. 2007 data could therefore be included in the overall evaluation report. | Study of 15,000 babies born in the UK over a 12-month period. Longitudinal study of the cohort. Some possibility for comparative analysis of deprivation levels amongst the cohort as CtOG progresses.
Scottish sample size: 2,500. Boost samples in areas of high deprivation. Can be disaggregated by individual, and therefore by rural locality. | Sections covered include social capital, participation including community activities, political participation, social relationships and use of local services and facilities. | Medium, as despite high question relevance significant time delay between data collection and release. |
British Household Panel Survey | Undertaken annually in September
Data is available approximately 6 months after collection. Could therefore inform both the overall evaluation and the synthesis report. | Scottish sample of 1500 households. Can be disaggregated by local authority district. Rural sample will be relatively small. | Mix of core and non-core questions. | Medium, some directly relevant questions (e.g. use of health services) but much of the data is not directly related to the target. Rural sample also relatively small. |
Scottish Household Survey | Continuous, data collected every 3 months across Scotland. 9-month gap between collection and availability.
Strong baseline and opportunities for ongoing assessment. | 15,500 respondents interviewed annually across Scotland. Can be disaggregated by local authority area. | Household demographics, property, use of services, community participation. Range of questions on quality of life. | High |
Ordnance Survey 'Points of View data' | Points of Interest is a unique location-based database developed for use in civic and commercial applications. The version 2 database comprises over three and a half million entries to provide location details of features, business and leisure sites throughout Great Britain.
The database is maintained and updates are available on a regular basis.
Full costs of obtaining data are available from the Ordnance Survey website. | Scotland is one of the key administrative areas for which data can be provided, and smaller administration areas are available, for example,
county, district, unitary authority and bespoke areas on request. | The classification scheme has 3 levels. The 10 groups at Level 1 are: Accommodation, eating and drinking; Commercial services; Attractions; Sport and entertainment; Education and health; Public infrastructure; Manufacturing and production; Wholesale; Retail and Transport. | High |
Community Planning Partnership people's panels | Data collection is specific to each CPP. The transition from Social Inclusion Partnerships ( SIPs) to Community Planning Partnerships ( CPPs) is ongoing, it seems likely however that SIP people's panels will continue to exist in a similar format under the CPP structure. The frequency and type of information collected will however be specific to each CPP. | A panel of residents in each CPP areas. | The People's Panels in their previous form covered a wide range of issues related to community regeneration and quality of life. It is likely that under the CPP structure a similar range of issues will be included. | Medium, as dependent upon quality and type of work undertaken locally. |
Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation | The SIMD 2004 is the first output from the 'long term strategy for measuring deprivation' that was developed in partnership with the Scottish Centre for Research on Social Justice.
The majority of 2004 data represents the situation as of 2002. The 2004 report became available on 14th June of the same year. The 2007 report, representing the situation as of 2005, should be available for inclusion in the synthesis report. | The SIMD provides a detailed measure of area based poverty and deprivation, dividing Scotland into 6,500 data zones. It therefore allows progress towards poverty reduction to be considered at particular local levels as well as providing a comprehensive national picture. | The index brings together 31 different indicators that cover specific aspects of deprivation, including Geographic Access and Telecommunications. | High, particularly
the aspects on geographic
access and telecommunications. |
Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics | Infrequent collection of data on access to services in rural areas.
The most recent data on access to services in rural areas is from the report 'Availability of Services in Rural Areas', collated in 2001 and published in 2002. | The report involved investigating potential data sources on the location of key services, recommending the most robust data, acquiring and geocoding the data. The geocoded datasets were then passed to the Executive's Geographic Information System team ( SEGIS) who undertook the mapping and statistical analysis, and this report was prepared by the Executive's Environment and Rural Research Branch of the Social Research Division.
Two main data sources were used: public service and voluntary sector administrative data and business registers listing a range of relevant information. | Data are available in the following areas:
At a local authority and at a ward level: access to education, health, financial (cash point and bank or building society), retail and other (citizens advice, Jobcentre Plus, police and community internet facility) services. | Medium, as infrequent data availability, may be possible to repeat the exercise and use the 2001 data as a baseline. |
Joseph Rowntree Foundation/ NPI - annual review of poverty indicators | Bi-annually, published towards the end of each year and accessible for free via the Joseph Rowntree Foundation website. The first analysis was undertaken in 2002, with a further analysis published in 2004. Interim analyses are available annually. The next full report will be available towards the end of 2006. | The review provides
independent analysis of poverty and social exclusion from a wide range of sources, including government funded surveys, some administrative data and local and health authority returns.
In all cases the indicators use the latest data that is available. This is typically from the year of publication, or the year immediately prior to publication. The authors state clearly where a lack of data has any impact upon the quality of their analysis. | Poverty and social exclusion indicators are considered a range of indicators, including quality of life and social cohesion, which includes specific indicators on satisfaction with services and with public transport. | High. |
Audit Scotland Comprehensive Performance Assessment data | Audit Scotland produce annual performance assessments of Scotland's councils. Full information on the 2003/04 assessment was available by February 2005. | Each local authority in Scotland. | The following services are considered: adult social work, benefits administration, cultural and community services, children's services, corporate management, development services, fire brigades, housing, police, protective services, roads and lighting and waste management. | High, as allows for comparison of quality of services in rural as compared to urban areas. |
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