Labour Force Survey: Datasets
The data and documentation can be accessed
from the following web page: Labour Force
Survey.
Free access to study descriptions, online
variable lists and online documentation, including
questionnaires, is available for all users and does not
require registration.
Most non- commercial registered users (see
Ordering Data) can download datasets in SPSS, STATA and
ASCII tab-delimited formats.
Some of these data are available to most
registered users to analyse, visualise, subset and download
online using the ESDS Nesstar
catalogue.
Users can explore the data by running frequency tables on
variables without being registered for the data.
All registered users can place an online
order if they are unable to download the data, if an
alternative format or portable media (such as CD) is
required or if the data are required from another registered
user or a local data library.
You can also sign up to be
notified when new data is available from ESDS.
Charges
Academics,
teachers and students in higher or further education can
obtain the survey data for not-for-profit purposes at no
cost (other than the costs of portable media). Fees may
apply to other users. See ESDS Charges and
Costs.
Secure Data Service Access
LFS datasets are now available from the Secure Data Service (SDS). These datasets are more detailed version of existing data available through ESDS. To find out more about the content of these datasets view the online catalogue records. Before applying for access researchers should read through the catalogue records to determine if the data are suitable for their research and whether less detailed versions of the data are available and could be used instead. More information about the SDS can be found on the Secure Data Service website.
Variables in Labour Force Survey Calendar Datasets
In accordance with EU regulations the LFS moved from seasonal to calendar quarters in 2006. The seasonal datasets have been removed from ESDS and replaced by the calendar datasets. As a result a number of variables have been dropped from the datasets. A page which lists each calendar dataset with the corresponding seasonal datasets is now available, together with more information about the changes.
Unfortunately the LFS User Guides do not reflect the changes. As a result you will find that certain variables noted in the User Guides as being present in the datasets are not actually in the datasets.
Special Licence Access QLFS data
A Special
Licence version of the QLFS is available which contains extra variables.
The Special Licence (SL) was originally launched in September 2005. The coming
into force of the Statistics and Registration Service Act in April 2008 brings
to an end the SL arrangements prior to this Act. Access to ONS SL data will
continue but under a new legal framework set out in the act. Any registered
user requiring ONS SL data will have to be accredited by the UK Statistics Authority
as an Approved Researcher. The ONS have specified that applications through
the SL form will no longer be accepted from 1-16 March 2008 and that it will
not be possible to order the data during that time. After that date users should
be able to order the data from UKDA/ESDS in the usual way and will be directed
to new Approved Researcher forms for completion.
To apply for accreditation a user will complete forms that will require:
1. evidence that he/she is a fit and proper person and details about the purpose
of the research
2. an online order for the data
3. a signed declaration that he/she understands the confidentiality obligations
owed to those data including its physical security
The evidence to be adduced will include previous research projects and publications.
New users may need to provide the contact details of a senior member of staff
who can vouch for them. The research purpose form will ask for information about
the intended use of the data, a justification for access and planned outputs.
Users who obtain access to SL data are required to read and follow the Microdata handling and security: Guide to good practice. This includes additional
guidance on:
• avoiding inadvertent statistical disclosure
• storing and accessing data securely
• how to permanently destroy copies of data
Further
information on requirements for accreditation as an approved researcher
can be found on the UK Data Archive web site.
The Annual Population Survey
The Annual Population Survey (APS)
represents a major new survey which comprises key variables from the Labour
Force Survey (LFS), all the LFS boosts and the APS boost. It provides survey
data that can produce reliable estimates at local authority level. For more
information visit the ESDS Government APS web pages.
