Department for Work and Pensions (2025) Report (government / official)

Fairness assessment including statistical analysis of the Universal Credit advances machine learning model: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025

Department for Work and Pensions

Ref: SRC-001-GBR-005

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fairness-assessment-including-statistical-analysis-of-the-universal-credit-advances-machine-learning-model-1-april-2024-to-31-march-2025

Accessed: 3/22/2026

Summary

Official DWP fairness assessment of the UC advances ML model, examining impact on groups with protected characteristics. Concludes minimal concerns of discrimination and that continued operation is reasonable and proportionate.

View Harvard reference

Department for Work and Pensions (2025) Fairness assessment including statistical analysis of the Universal Credit advances machine learning model: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. London: DWP. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fairness-assessment-including-statistical-analysis-of-the-universal-credit-advances-machine-learning-model-1-april-2024-to-31-march-2025 (Accessed: 22 March 2026).

Linked Cases (1)

GBR-005 GBR Operational Deployment (Limited Rollout)

Risk-based Review and Fraud/Error Targeting Models for Universal Credit (UC Advances ML Model and related models)

Social assistance Classical ML