Change of https://www.gov.uk/guidance/current-dwp-research-in-the-field-undertaken-by-external-organisations

Change description : 2026-07-15 09:30:00: Updated the list of fieldwork to add 4 new research projects:IFF – Employers’ perspectives of automatic enrolment and Defined Benefit pension schemes.IFF Research – Reducing Parental Conflict User Research: New parents’ experiences of parenting and family relationships.NatCen – The Work Aspirations of PIP Customers: Qualitative Research.Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) Reform Evaluation – Early Research.All 4 projects will run from July 2026 to August 2026. [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2026-07-02 08:34:55.630217719 +00:00..2026-07-15 08:34:38.196559238 +00:00

Guidance

Current DWP research being undertaken by external organisations

Check a list of live research being conducted by research organisations for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

From:
Department for Work and Pensions
Published
7 April 2025
Last updated
215 July 2026 — See all updates

If you have been contacted to take part in research by an external research organisation on behalf of DWP, check this list to verify that the contact is genuine.

Check that the fieldwork dates, title and description match the information you received when you were approached.

List of current fieldwork

Current research

Fieldwork dates TitleResearch project Description
July 2026 to September 2026 VerianIpsos – JourneysPerceptions toof DLAc the Benefit System You may be contacted by Ipsos to take part in this research. The aimresearch isaims to understand your feelings regarding the journeysbenefit claimantssystem, take,how theit’s advicecurrently channelsworking, used,and how you interact with it.
April 2025 to July 2026Institute for Employment Studies and anyNational barriersLearning and Work Institute, Jobs Plus Evaluation PilotYou may be contacted to claimingtake DLAc.part in research. The aim is to understand participants’ experience of Jobs Plus employment support.
July 20262025 to AugustJuly 2026 Verian – NEETMonitoring andthe YoungImpact Peopleof Surveythe Local Housing Allowance (LHA) You may be contacted by Verian to take part in athe survey.research. The aim ofis to better understand the researchimpact isof toLocal gatherHousing insightAllowance into(LHA) youngrates people’son real-lifehouseholds experiences,in includingreceipt atof work,housing lookingsupport and landlords.
March 2026 to July 2026Ipsos UK – Disability Living Allowance for workchildren (DLAc) Areas of extra cost and educationadditional needThe aim is to learn more about the areas of extra costs and training.additional need for families claiming DLAc.
JulyApril 2026 to August 2026 Verian NatCen – SolutionsConnect Testingto Work – Cognitive interviews to test Connect to Work survey questions You may be contacted by Verian to take part in somethis qualitative research. The aim is to hear your thoughts on a selection of survey questions focused on people’s experiences of the researchConnect to Work programme. Cognitive interviewing is toa understandresearch perceptionsmethod of,that provides insights into how people understand and preferencesrespond towardsto thesurvey typesquestions. These interviews will help development of supportthe whichupcoming mayConnect helpto youngWork peoplesurvey intoand work,to educationensure questions are interpreted easily and training.understood.
July 2026 to August 2026 NatCen – Timms Review Survey The Timms Review is a co-produced review of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) system.
July 2026 to August 2026 Ipsos NatCen – PerceptionsThe Work Aspirations of thePIP BenefitCustomers: SystemQualitative Research You may be contacted by IpsosNatCen to take part in this research. The researchaim aimsis to understandlearn yourmore feelingsabout regarding the benefitwork system,aspirations, howcircumstances it’s currently working, and howneeds youof interactPIP with it.customers.
July 2026 to OctoberAugust 2026 IpsosVerian – Self-employedNEET peoples’and perspectivesYoung onPeople pension savingSurvey You may be contacted by IpsosVerian to take part in thisa research.survey. The aim of the research aimsis to heargather yourinsight perspectivesinto andyoung helppeople’s developreal-life solutionsexperiences, forincluding theat self-employedwork, tolooking supportfor pensionwork saving.and education and training.
July 2026 to OctoberAugust 2026 Verian – HelpSolutions to Claim EvaluationTesting You may be contacted by Verian to take part in thissome research. qualitative research. The aim of the research is to understand experiencesperceptions of, and preferences towards the types of usingsupport Helpwhich tomay Claimhelp toyoung makepeople ainto claimwork, foreducation Universaland Credit.training.
JuneJuly 2026 to NovemberAugust 2026 VerianIFF – PhaseEmployers’ 1perspectives Jobsof Guaranteeautomatic Processenrolment Evaluationand Defined Benefit pension schemes You may be contacted to take part in this research. The aim is to understand how the Phase 1 Jobs Guarantee delivery model is working in practice.
JuneJuly 2026 to SeptemberAugust 2026 IpsosIFF Research – HowReducing MoveParental toConflict UniversalUser CreditResearch: CustomersNew Engageparents’ withexperiences theof Labourparenting Marketand oncefamily on Universal Creditrelationships You may be contacted by Ipsos to take part in this research. The researchaim aimsis to understandfind yourout levelhow ofparents engagementmight withlook thefor laboursupport marketif andtheir yourrelationship employmentwas aspirationsunder nowpressure thatin youthe areperiod onbefore Universaland Credit,after ashaving wella asbaby. theseThe priorresearch toinvolves youra move90-minute tointerview Universalincluding Credit.an Theinteractive researchsession willshowing how you might search online for help informif theyou designneed ofhelp Universalwith Credit.your relationship.
MayJuly 2026 to JuneAugust 2026 IFFStatutory ResearchSick –Pay Customer(SSP) ExperienceReform SurveyEvaluation – Early Research YouThe maymain bypurpose contactedof bythe IFFstudy Researchis to takeprovide partthe inDepartment afor survey.Work Theand aimPensions of(DWP) with evidence on the researchestimated isimpacts toof findthe outStatutory customers’Sick experiencesPay and(SSP) opinionsreforms ofthat interactingcame withinto theeffect DWP.in TheApril 2026. This early-stage research willincludes helpa guideshort howsurvey DWPand engagesqualitative withinterviews customersto inunderstand employers’ awareness and experiences of SSP during the future.first few months of implementation.
AprilJune 2026 to AugustSeptember 2026 NatCenIpsos – ConnectHow Move to WorkUniversal -Credit CognitiveCustomers interviewsEngage towith testthe ConnectLabour toMarket Workonce surveyon questionsUniversal Credit You may be contacted by Ipsos to take part in this research. The aimresearch isaims to hearunderstand your thoughtslevel on a selection of surveyengagement questionswith focusedthe onlabour people’smarket experiencesand ofyour theemployment Connectaspirations tonow Workthat programme.you Cognitiveare interviewingon isUniversal aCredit, researchas methodwell thatas providesthese insightsprior intoto howyour peoplemove understand and respond to surveyUniversal questions.Credit. TheseThe interviewsresearch will help developmentinform of the upcomingdesign Connectof toUniversal Work survey and to ensure questions are interpreted easily and understood.Credit.
AprilJuly 2026 to JuneSeptember 2026 Verian – UnderstandingJourneys andto views of Universal CreditDLAc You may be contacted to take part in this research. The aim is to findunderstand outthe morejourneys aboutclaimants yourtake, viewsthe onadvice claimingchannels Universalused, Credit and howany claimingbarriers Universalto Creditclaiming impacts you and your householdDLAc.
MarchOctober 20262025 to JuneSeptember 2026 Verian NatCen – JobsEnglish andLongitudinal CareersStudy Serviceof Ageing (JCSELSA) – Flexible Delivery Network – Location and Environment Research You may be contacted to participatetake part in this research. The researchaim willis exploreto theunderstand viewsdifferent ofcircumstances DWPin claimants,the non-claimants,English partners,population andaged employers50 withand regardsolder.
July 2026 to theOctober location2026Ipsos and– designSelf-employed ofpeoples’ elementsperspectives ofon thepension JCSsavingYou Flexiblemay Deliverybe Network,contacted by Ipsos to understandtake howpart in this influencesresearch. theirThe engagementresearch aims to hear your perspectives and experienceshelp withdevelop DWP’ssolutions Jobcentres.for the self-employed to support pension saving.
June 2026 to October 2026 IFF Research/Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) – Research to Maximise Digital Channel Uptake You may be contacted to take part in this research and invited to join a workshop, either online or in-person. The research will explore people’s experiences of using online DWP services and identify and develop ideas that can support digital channel usage.
MarchJuly 2026 to JulyOctober 2026 IpsosVerian UK – DisabilityHelp Livingto AllowanceClaim forEvaluationYou childrenmay (DLAc)be Areascontacted ofto extratake costpart andin additionalthis needresearch. The aim is to learnunderstand moreexperiences aboutof theusing areasHelp ofto extraClaim coststo andmake additionala needclaim for familiesUniversal claiming DLAc.Credit.
FebruaryJune 2026 to JuneNovember 2026 NatCenVerian – ExperiencesPhase of1 theJobs ConnectGuarantee toProcess Work programmeEvaluation You may be contacted to take part in this research. The aim is to learnunderstand morehow about the earlyPhase experiences1 ofJobs theGuarantee programme.delivery model is working in practice.
April 2026 to JuneMarch 20262027 Verian ONS/NatCen/NISRA – EvaluationFamily ofResources theSurvey WorkWell Primary Care Innovation Fund(FRS) You may be contacted to take part in thisa research.survey. The aim of the research is to understandfind howout theabout fundedparticipants’ interventionsliving arestandards beingand deliveredcircumstances, into GPhelp practicesgovernment withindevelop theand 15monitor pilotpolicies. WorkWellYou areascan andfind themore experiencesinformation ofhere: healthcareFamily professionalsResources andSurvey: healthcareinformation administrativefor staffpeople involved.taking part.
April 20262025 to JuneMay 20262027 NatCenIFF (andResearch Criteria) – PIPLocal Application:Support BehaviouralEmployment Insights StudyEvaluation You may beby contacted by IFF Research to take part in an interview. The aim of the research exploringis face-to-faceto healthfind assessments.out Youabout doparticipants’ notexperiences needof toreceiving besupport familiarfrom withLocal PIPAuthorities tothrough takethe part.Local Supported Employment (LSE) programme.
October 2025 to September 20262027 NatCenIFF – EnglishRestart LongitudinalCustomer Study of Ageing (ELSA)Satisfaction You may beby contacted by IFF Research to take part in research.a survey. The aim of the research is to understandgain differentinsight circumstancesinto in the Englishoverall populationsatisfaction agedlevels 50of andcustomers older.on the Restart Scheme.
April 2025 to JulyAugust 20262029 InstituteOpinion forResearch EmploymentServices StudiesLtd and– NationalFunctional LearningAssessment andService WorkCustomer Institute,Satisfaction Jobs Plus Evaluation PilotSurvey You may beby contacted to take part in research.a 15-minute survey. The aim of the research is to understandfind out about participants’ experienceexperiences ofwith Jobsthe PlusHealth employmentAssessment support.Advisory Service.

Completed research

Fieldwork datesResearch projectDescription
April 2025 to April 2026 IFF Research – Understanding Progression Pathways You may be contacted to take part in research. The aim is to understand what career progression pathways look like for low paid employees and people on Universal Credit in specific sectors.
April 20262025 to MarchMay 20272026 ONS/NatCen/NISRAIFF Research – Family Resources Survey (FRS)WorkWell You may be contacted by IFF research via phone or email to take part in a survey.survey or interview. The aim of the research is to findunderstand outparticipants aboutexperience participants’of livingWorkWell. standardsTo andhelp circumstances,look toat helpthe governmenteffects developof andWorkWell, monitorwe policies.are Youalso canasking findfor the experiences of work and health more informationgenerally here:in Familya Resourcesselected Survey:group informationof forindividuals peoplein takingnon-WorkWell partareas. –Your GOV.UK views will help improve these services in the future.
AprilMay 20252026 to MayJune 20272026 IFF Research – LocalCustomer SupportExperience Employment EvaluationSurvey You may by contacted by IFF Research to take part in ana interview.survey. The aim of the research is to find out aboutcustomers’ participants’ experiences and opinions of receivinginteracting supportwith fromthe LocalDWP. AuthoritiesThe throughresearch thewill Localhelp Supportedguide Employmenthow (LSEDWP) programme.engages with customers in the future.
AprilFebruary 20252026 to AugustJune 20292026 Opinion NatCen Research Services Ltd – FunctionalExperiences Assessmentof Servicethe CustomerConnect Satisfactionto SurveyWork programme You may bybe contacted to take part in athis 15-minuteresearch. survey. The aim of the research is to findlearn outmore about participants’the early experiences withof the Health Assessment Advisory Service.programme.
AprilMarch 20252026 to MayJune 2026 IFFVerian Research– Jobs and Careers Service (JCS) – WorkWellFlexible Delivery Network – Location and Environment Research You may be contacted byto IFFparticipate in this research. The research viawill phoneexplore orthe emailviews toof takeDWP partclaimants, innon-claimants, apartners, surveyand oremployers interview.with Theregards aimto the location and design of elements of the researchJCS isFlexible Delivery Network, to understand participantshow experiencethis ofinfluences WorkWell.their Toengagement helpand lookexperiences atwith theDWP’s effectsJobcentres.
April of2026 WorkWell,to weJune are2026Verian also– askingUnderstanding forand theviews experiences of workUniversal andCreditYou healthmay morebe generallycontacted to take part in athis selectedresearch. groupThe ofaim individualsis into non-WorkWellfind areas.out Yourmore about your views willon helpclaiming improveUniversal theseCredit servicesand inhow theclaiming future.Universal Credit impacts you and your household
JulyApril 20252026 to JulyJune 2026 Verian – MonitoringEvaluation the Impact of the LocalWorkWell HousingPrimary AllowanceCare (LHA)Innovation Fund You may be contacted to take part in thethis research. The aim is to better understand how the impactfunded ofinterventions Localare Housingbeing Allowancedelivered (LHA)in ratesGP onpractices householdswithin inthe receipt15 pilot WorkWell areas and the experiences of housinghealthcare supportprofessionals and landlords.healthcare administrative staff involved.
OctoberApril 20252026 to SeptemberJune 20272026 IFF NatCen (and Criteria) – RestartPIP CustomerApplication: SatisfactionBehavioural Insights Study You may bybe contacted by IFF Research to take part in a survey. The aim of the research isexploring toface-to-face gainhealth insightassessments. intoYou thedo overallnot satisfactionneed levelsto ofbe customersfamiliar onwith thePIP Restartto Scheme.take part.

Updates to this page

Published 7 April 2025
Last updated 215 July 2026 — Show all updates

  1. Updated the list of fieldwork to add 4 new research projects: IFF – Employers’ perspectives of automatic enrolment and Defined Benefit pension schemes. IFF Research – Reducing Parental Conflict User Research: New parents’ experiences of parenting and family relationships. NatCen – The Work Aspirations of PIP Customers: Qualitative Research. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) Reform Evaluation – Early Research. All 4 projects will run from July 2026 to August 2026.

  2. Updated table to show current DWP research in the field to be undertaken by external organisations from June 2026.

  3. Updating Welsh

  4. Updated list of fieldwork with 2 new projects: Verian – Phase 1 Jobs Guarantee Process Evaluation (June 2026 to November 2026) and Ipsos – How Move to Universal Credit Customers Engage with the Labour Market once on Universal Credit ( June 2026 to September 2026).

  5. Updated list of fieldwork with a new project, date changes to live projects, and the removal of a closed project.

  6. Added new fieldwork. Updated some dates and descriptions of previously listed fieldwork.

  7. Updated table to show current DWP research in the field undertaken by external organisations.

  8. Updated table to show current DWP research in the field undertaken by external organisations.

  9. Updated list of fieldwork with a new project, date changes to live projects, and the removal of a closed project.

  10. Updated table to show current DWP research in the field to be undertaken by external organisations from January 2026.

  11. Added translation

  12. Updated list with Ipsos project: Experiences and circumstances of Move to Universal Credit customers who were not expected to work when claiming Universal Credit

  13. Date of 'Ipsos UK – Managing a Universal Credit Claim' updated to 'August 2025 to December 2025'.

  14. Updated table to show current DWP research in the field undertaken by external organisations.

  15. Published an updated list of live research currently being undertaken by research organisations for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

  16. Updated the description for the entry 'April 2025 to May 2026 - IFF Research WorkWell'. Updated dates for 'IFF - Restart Customer Satisfaction'.

  17. Updated contractor and title for April 2025 to August 2029 entry. Added new research entries for Institute for Employment Service (IES) from August to October 2025 and Verian for September to October 2025.

  18. Verian-Pension Credit Journeys dates updated. Need research added to the table from August to October 2025.

  19. Updated table to show current DWP research in the field undertaken by external organisations.

  20. 'Verian - Monitoring the Impact of the Local Housing Allowance (LHA)', 'NatCen – Journeys to Access to Work', 'IFF – Restart Customer Satisfaction', and 'IFF – Experiences of UC Work Search Review Meetings' upcoming reports added.

  21. Research in the field June to September 2025 by IFF on Debt Management Composition and Perceptions has been added to the list.

  22. Published an updated list of current DWP research.

  23. Published an updated list of current DWP research.

  24. First published.

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Contents

Update history

2026-07-15 09:30
Updated the list of fieldwork to add 4 new research projects:IFF – Employers’ perspectives of automatic enrolment and Defined Benefit pension schemes.IFF Research – Reducing Parental Conflict User Research: New parents’ experiences of parenting and family relationships.NatCen – The Work Aspirations of PIP Customers: Qualitative Research.Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) Reform Evaluation – Early Research.All 4 projects will run from July 2026 to August 2026.

2026-07-02 09:34
Updated table to show current DWP research in the field to be undertaken by external organisations from June 2026.

2026-06-17 16:05
Updating Welsh

2026-06-17 14:43
Updated list of fieldwork with 2 new projects: Verian – Phase 1 Jobs Guarantee Process Evaluation (June 2026 to November 2026) and Ipsos – How Move to Universal Credit Customers Engage with the Labour Market once on Universal Credit ( June 2026 to September 2026).

2026-05-01 09:30
Updated list of fieldwork with a new project, date changes to live projects, and the removal of a closed project.

2026-04-01 09:30
Added new fieldwork. Updated some dates and descriptions of previously listed fieldwork.

2026-03-06 11:46
Updated table to show current DWP research in the field undertaken by external organisations.

2026-03-02 09:30
Updated table to show current DWP research in the field undertaken by external organisations.

2026-01-30 14:20
Updated list of fieldwork with a new project, date changes to live projects, and the removal of a closed project.

2026-01-05 09:15
Updated table to show current DWP research in the field to be undertaken by external organisations from January 2026.

2025-12-22 09:46
Added translation

2025-12-19 14:24
Updated list with Ipsos project: Experiences and circumstances of Move to Universal Credit customers who were not expected to work when claiming Universal Credit

2025-12-15 16:00
Date of ‘Ipsos UK – Managing a Universal Credit Claim’ updated to ‘August 2025 to December 2025’.

2025-12-01 09:30
Updated table to show current DWP research in the field undertaken by external organisations.

2025-10-31 09:30
Published an updated list of live research currently being undertaken by research organisations for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

2025-09-30 15:49
Updated the description for the entry ‘April 2025 to May 2026 – IFF Research WorkWell’. Updated dates for ‘IFF – Restart Customer Satisfaction’.

2025-08-31 09:30
Updated contractor and title for April 2025 to August 2029 entry. Added new research entries for Institute for Employment Service (IES) from August to October 2025 and Verian for September to October 2025.

2025-08-12 07:43
Verian-Pension Credit Journeys dates updated. Need research added to the table from August to October 2025.

2025-07-29 15:53
Updated table to show current DWP research in the field undertaken by external organisations.

2025-06-26 09:21
‘Verian – Monitoring the Impact of the Local Housing Allowance (LHA)’, ‘NatCen – Journeys to Access to Work’, ‘IFF – Restart Customer Satisfaction’, and ‘IFF – Experiences of UC Work Search Review Meetings’ upcoming reports added.

2025-05-30 09:30
Research in the field June to September 2025 by IFF on Debt Management Composition and Perceptions has been added to the list.

2025-05-08 07:00
Published an updated list of current DWP research.

2025-05-01 09:30
Published an updated list of current DWP research.

2025-04-07 16:20
First published.