Research on experiences of self-employed Universal Credit customers earning below their Minimum Income Floor: Privacy Information Notice
This privacy notice sets out the legal basis for processing data in relation to this research project and explains how your personal data will be collected, used, and protected as part of this research project. The aim of this research is to explore the experiences of self-employed Universal Credit (UC) customers earning below their Minimum Income Floor and to understand participants’ reasons for staying self-employed.
The research is being completed by the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
About IES
IES is an independent centre for research and evidence-based consultancy. We provide insights on employment and human resource management topics to help improve policy and practice. We are carrying out this study on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The legal basis for processing your personal data
DWP is the data controller for this project, and IES is the data processor. The legal basis for collecting and processing your personal data is “Public Task”, under section 8 of the Data Protection Act (2018) and Article 6(1)(e) of the UK GDPR.
This means that your data is being processed because it is necessary to fulfil a function of a government department – namely DWP having a better understanding of self-employed UC customers to support policy making.
What does the research involve?
The study will involve in-depth interviews with a number of self-employed Universal Credit customers who regularly earn below their Minimum Income Floor. The interview will cover:
- Your self-employment and work history
- Your personal circumstances
- Your financial situation
- Your experiences of the Minimum Income Floor (MIF) and claiming UC
- Your plans for the future and any support you might need
Interviews will preferably be completed remotely, either online through video conferencing or over the telephone, though can be arranged face-to-face if needed.
To arrange these interviews, your name and contact details (phone number and email address) have been securely shared by DWP with the IES research team. This personal information will only be processed for the purposes of completing this research, under the direction of DWP.
Who will have access to my personal data?
Your contact details have been securely shared with IES by DWP. These contact details will be stored on IES’ encrypted server, with access restricted solely to members of the research team. You may decline the invitation to take part in an interview, or withdraw from the research at any time, without having to give a reason. Even if you later decide not to take part in an interview, your contact details will remain stored by IES unless you ask us to delete them.
If you agree to take part in a research interview, we will ask for your agreement to make an audio recording of the discussion. This audio recording will be stored securely on IES encrypted servers, separately from any identifying information (i.e. your name and contact details), and will only be accessible by the research team.
The recording will be securely shared with a third-party service (Verbit Go) to produce a transcript. Your personal data will be held securely and in line with GDPR at all times.
Following the interview and transcription any information you provide will be summarised in an anonymised format – this means we will remove any information that could be used to identify you.
How will my data be treated?
Taking part in the research is entirely voluntary and any answers are given with your consent. If you choose to take part in an interview, the information you give will only be used for purposes of this study.
IES will produce a report summarising the main findings from all interviews. This will be shared with operational leaders, analysts and policy makers at DWP. It may also be published and made publicly available on the gov.uk website. Individuals will not be named in the reports, nor will any information be included that could reveal their identity.
Data protection law requires that personal data are kept for no longer than is necessary. We will anonymise the information you provide as soon as we practically can (i.e. within 2 weeks of the interview date). The personal data we used to contact you, as well as data collected during interviews, will be securely deleted from the IES systems six months after the project is complete (currently estimated to be February 2026).
What are my rights?
You have rights under data protection law to make the following requests about the personal data that is held about you, which is being processed for this research, including:
- to ask us to delete your name and contact details from the IES system. This can be done up to 2 weeks after the interview date by emailing Kate Alexander (email address below)
- to ask us to delete your data following an interview. This can be done up to 2 weeks after the interview date by emailing Kate Alexander (email address below)
- to request access to this data
- to amend any incorrect or inaccurate information
- to restrict or object to your data being processed
If you would like to exercise any of your Data Subject Rights please contact: kate.alexander@employment-studies.co.uk.
Who can I contact with a query about how my data will be used?
If you have any questions about how your data will be used, please contact Kate Alexander, Project Manager for this strand of the research at IES: kate.alexander@employment-studies.co.uk.
You can also contact DWP at: data.protectionofficer@dwp.gov.uk
Or via post:
DWP Data Protection Officer
DWP Data Protection Team
Benton Park View 6
Room BP6001
Mail Handling Site A
Wolverhampton WV98 1ZX
Who can I contact with a complaint?
If you have any questions or concerns about how your data is being used, please contact IES or DWP using the contact details above in the first instance so that we can try to resolve the matter. If you are not satisfied with the response, then contact the Information Commissioner’s Office - the independent body responsible for regulating data protection within the UK. Further information on your rights is also available from the ICO, who can deal with any complaints you may have regarding our use of your data.
- Tel: 0303 123 1113
- Email: casework@ico.org.uk
- Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF