JUVOS Cohort: Longitudinal Database of the Claimant Unemployed Since 1982

The Joint Unemployment and Vacancies Operating System Cohort (JUVOS) is a 5% sample of all computerised claims for unemployment-related benefits selected by reference to a claimant's National Insurance (NI) number. Each time a person with a relevant NI number makes a claim for unemployment-related benefits their details are added to the cohort file.

The purpose of the study is to provide a means of examining long-term dynamics of the labour market. It enables analysis of claimant unemployment, the number of unemployment spells experienced by individuals, and the length of time between spells of unemployment. It provides information on the number of previous claims that a claimant has made within a specified period, and also on the gap between the start of their more recent (or in some cases current) claim, and the end of their previous claim (if one existed).

The JUVOS database is used to inform policy decisions on employment and training, welfare and social security. It assists in monitoring the impact of government schemes, and is used by various government departments, including the Department for Education and Skills, the Department for Work and Pensions, local authorities, consultants and researchers.

The date coverage of the 13th edition is October 1982 - January 2006.