The information is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

However, the department publishes the percentage of pupils achieving grades 4/5 or above in English and mathematics GCSEs by Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI) deciles.

Data back to 2014/15 is published in the annual key stage 4/GCSE and equivalent statistical releases, which are available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-gcses-key-stage-4. To find data by IDACI, see 'pupil residency and school location tables'.

Reformed GCSEs using the 9-1 grading scale were first introduced in 2016/17 with most GCSEs exams using the scale by 2018/19.

The average Progress 8 and Attainment 8 overall and for boys and girls by ethnic group are published at the following links:

• 2018/19 to 2023/24: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/cb96bc10-b240-4f42-5969-08dd3479441b.
• 2017/18: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/key-stage-4-and-multi-academy-trust-performance-2018-revised (See the “Characteristics national tables”, sheet “Characteristics Summary”).
• 2016/17: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/revised-gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-2016-to-2017 (See the “Characteristics national tables”, sheet “Characteristics Summary”).

The average Progress 8, Attainment 8, and percentage of pupils achieving grade 5 or above in English and mathematics GCSEs by ethnic group and region are published at the following links:

• 2018/19 to 2023/24: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/9a0ba337-3764-486e-596e-08dd3479441b.
• 2017/18: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/key-stage-4-and-multi-academy-trust-performance-2018-revised (See the “Characteristics local authority tables”, sheet “Table LA8”).
• 2016/17: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/revised-gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-2016-to-2017 (See the “Characteristics local authority tables”, sheet SFR01/2018, sheet “Table LA8”).

The requested information is not held by the Department for Work and Pensions.

The requested information is not held by the Department for Work and Pensions. Information relating to claimant qualifications is not routinely captured by the Department for Work and Pensions.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond. A copy of the UKSA response will be placed in the Library of the House.

The information requested is not routinely available in 16 to 18 publications and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

The closest available information can be found in tables 11a and 11b as part of the ‘A level and other 16 to 18 results: 2018 to 2019 (revised)’[1] national statistics, which were released on the 23 January 2020.

Students who are continuing to study English and mathematics, who are not yet at the end of 16 to 18 study, or who had previously achieved a grade 4/C or above in these subjects, will not be included in these figures.

[1] A level and other 16 to 18 results: 2018 to 2019 (revised): https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/a-level-and-other-16-to-18-results-2018-to-2019-revised. Please refer to table 11a “Matrix of prior attainment and progress point scores in GCSE English and other English qualifications by students at the end of 16-18 studies”, and table 11b “Matrix of prior attainment and progress point scores in GCSE mathematics and other mathematics qualifications by students at the end of 16-18 studies”.

The information requested is not routinely available in 16 to 18 publications and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

The closest available information can be found in tables 11a and 11b as part of the ‘A level and other 16 to 18 results: 2018 to 2019 (revised)’[1] national statistics, which were released on the 23 January 2020.

Students who are continuing to study English and mathematics, who are not yet at the end of 16 to 18 study, or who had previously achieved a grade 4/C or above in these subjects, will not be included in these figures.

[1] A level and other 16 to 18 results: 2018 to 2019 (revised): https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/a-level-and-other-16-to-18-results-2018-to-2019-revised. Please refer to table 11a “Matrix of prior attainment and progress point scores in GCSE English and other English qualifications by students at the end of 16-18 studies”, and table 11b “Matrix of prior attainment and progress point scores in GCSE mathematics and other mathematics qualifications by students at the end of 16-18 studies”.

The information requested is not routinely available in 16 to 18 publications and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

The closest available information can be found in tables 11a and 11b as part of the ‘A level and other 16 to 18 results: 2018 to 2019 (revised)’[1] national statistics, which were released on the 23 January 2020.

Students who are continuing to study English and mathematics, who are not yet at the end of 16 to 18 study, or who had previously achieved a grade 4/C or above in these subjects, will not be included in these figures.

[1] A level and other 16 to 18 results: 2018 to 2019 (revised): https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/a-level-and-other-16-to-18-results-2018-to-2019-revised. Please refer to table 11a “Matrix of prior attainment and progress point scores in GCSE English and other English qualifications by students at the end of 16-18 studies”, and table 11b “Matrix of prior attainment and progress point scores in GCSE mathematics and other mathematics qualifications by students at the end of 16-18 studies”.

From August 2014, students who left key stage 4 without a GCSE grade 4/C or above (or equivalent) in English and/or maths were required to continue studying these subjects as part of their 16-19 study programme. From the following year, students starting a new study programme with a GCSE grade 3/D (or equivalent) in English and/or maths had to enrol on GCSE courses only. From August 2019, students starting a new or continuing an existing study programme with a GCSE grade 2 (or equivalent) or below can study towards a pass in Functional Skills Level 2 or they can still study towards a GCSE grade 4 to 9. Those with a grade 3 (or equivalent) must still study GCSE only. Providers have the freedom to decide if and when students are ready to re-enter for an examination.

For years up until 2014/15 the Department published statistics on the achievement in English and maths by students who had not achieved GCSE A*-C 2 years previously (i.e. the 2014/15 estimates were based on those at end of key stage 4 in 2012/13). From 2015/16, figures are based on students at the end of their 16-18 study (up to 3 years of study)^[1]. This means that figures for 2014/15 and earlier are not directly comparable to those for later years.

The tables attached show the number of students in further education colleges, in England, from 2012/13 to 2017/18 who did not achieve a grade 4/C or equivalent in English or maths at key stage 4 and how many of them went on to achieve a grade 4/C or better (or equivalent).

[1] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-attainment-at-19-years. For 2012/13 to 2014/15, scroll down to the ‘level 1 and 2 attainment’ section and open the link for each year. In the national tables, you require tables 2 and 4. For 2015/16 to 2017/18, open the revised publication at the top of the page for 2016, 2017 or 2018 and then open the ‘English and maths tables’. Institution type breakdowns are available in table 14a and 14b.