Stat-Xplore accessibility statement (stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk)

Updated 27 November 2025

1) Accessibility statement for Stat-Xplore

3) Technical information about this website's accessibility

5) What we're doing to improve accessibility

6) Preparation of this accessibility statement

Accessibility statement for Stat-Xplore (stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk)

This accessibility statement applies to Stat-Xplore, which is the Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) open data portal for statistics.

We've made the website text as simple as possible to understand. AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

How accessible this website is

We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible.

Issues span multiple pages including the main table view, graph view, and login page, affecting navigation, contrast, labelling, and error message visibility.

Stat-Xplore content is not operable through a keyboard interface.
Non-text content lacks descriptions: Decorative elements like vertical bars and icons are selectable but lack alternative text, complicating screen reader navigation.
Table structure and labelling issues: Some table headers are empty or not selectable, and sorting buttons lack programmatic labels, causing screen readers to announce them merely as "button".
Contrast and focus problems: Certain annotations and chart series have insufficient contrast ratios, and tooltips or error messages are not always visible or focusable with assistive tools, disrupting user experience.
Keyboard navigation and focus management: Although all items are reachable via keyboard, focus is lost after specific actions like using the drill-up button, which breaks logical navigation order and causes confusion.

Feedback and contact information

Stat-Xplore is browser based and holds raw statistics data. Due to this nature and scope, it is not possible to proactively state that we can provide accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille versions of the statistics data held on Stat-Xplore.

Data can be downloaded in the following formats:

Excel 2007
Excel 2003
Comma Separated Value (CSV)
CSV string value
SDMX Structure Definition
SDMX Archive, and
by using the Open Data API to retrieve data directly from Stat-Xplore for use in a variety of ways.

If you need specific statistics data from this website in a different format, please contact us and we will see what we can do to help you:

Email Stat.Xplore@dwp.gov.uk

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We're always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems that are not listed on this page or think we're not meeting accessibility requirements, please contact:

Data Dissemination and Visualisation team (Data as Statistics, Finance Group) Email: Stat.Xplore@dwp.gov.uk

Enforcement procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the 'accessibility regulations'). If you're not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Technical information about this website's accessibility

The Department for Work and Pensions is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance status

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.

Non-accessible content

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

Some of the decorative elements such as the vertical bar in the dataset title banner at the top and all the icon graphics are selectable as separate entities and without alt description. This makes navigation with screen readers difficult to understand the context of the page. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.1.1 (Non-text Content).
Some tables do not have table row or column headers. In the annotation table there are buttons for sorting the annotation and description columns which do not have programmatic labels so are just announced as "button" when using a screen reader This means assistive technologies will not read the tables correctly. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships).
When the table has been generated some headings cannot be tabbed to. i.e. it skips age bands and total column headers. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion (meaningful sequence).
When using enhanced colours, contrast between some chart series and the background is insufficient where darker colours are generated This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.4.11 (Non-text Contrast).
The "i", "v", "vi" etc annotations at the top do not have sufficient contrast currently 1.8:1, would need to be 4.5:1. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.4.3 (Contrast (Minimum)).
The tooltips for help/administration and configuration/password are do not support the hover function without content disappearing. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.4.13 (Content on hover or focus).
Whilst difficult to navigate, all items are reachable, and actions can be performed however when the table drill up button is clicked the table loses focus so breaks the logical order. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.1.1 (Keyboard).
There are 2 links that are programmatically labelled home "Home" and "Stat-Xplore". This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.4.6 (Headings and Labels).
If a login error occurs when using a screen magnifier, the error message is outside of the view area and does not jump to the message. When the drill up button is pressed on the table focus is lost completely, effectively exiting the page, focus would need to move to a meaningful element. When chart generation error occurs using a screen magnifier the error message is outside of the view area and does not jump to the message. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.4.7 (Focus Visible).
If a login error occurs when using a screen magnifier, the error message is outside of the view area and does not jump to the message. When chart generation error occurs using a screen magnifier the error message is outside of the view area and does not jump to the message. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 3.3.1 (Error Identification).
In the annotation table there are buttons for sorting the annotation and description columns which do not have programmatic labels so are just announced as "button" when using a screen reader. Some of the decorative elements such as the vertical bar in the dataset title banner at the top and all the icon graphics are selectable and without alt description. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 4.1.2 (Name, Role, Value).
When a table is loading, keyboard focus jumps to multiple different controls meaning that location is lost. This fails WCAG 2.2 success criterion 4.1.3 (Status Messages).

What we're doing to improve accessibility

WingArc, who own the SuperWEB2 software used to create Stat-Xplore, are providing a new version of the software. This latest version of the software is planned for general release in December 2025.

This latest version addresses several of the compliance issues identified with the current version of the software. The expectation is that the software, once deployed, will be compliant with the WCAG 2.2 AA standard.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 12 November 2025.

This website was last tested in July/August 2025. Stat-Xplore functions were fully checked against the accessibility test report requirements. Testing was completed using ease of access assistive software.

WingArc own the SuperWEB2 software used to create Stat-Xplore. DWP have undertaken their own testing which is reflected in this statement. That testing was undertaken against WCAG 2.2.