Health and Disability Study: Privacy notice
In line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), there are certain things that we need to let you, a research participant, know about how your information will be processed. In this privacy notice, we explain the legal basis for data processing, who will have access to your personal data, how your data will be used, stored and deleted, and who you can contact with a query or a complaint.
What is the legal basis for processing my data?
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is the data controller and NatCen is the data processers for this research. The DWP is responsible for deciding the purpose and legal basis for processing data from this study. The legal basis for processing data is ‘Public Task’.
Who will have access to my personal data?
Your data will be held securely by NatCen in line with the UK GDPR. Only the NatCen research team and the transcription service we use with will have access to personal data that you provide during the interview. All the information you provide will be held in strict confidence and held securely.
NatCen is carrying out this research and has access to the sample file provided by the DWP. The file includes data about individuals receiving government benefits, including names and contact details. If you took part in our previous survey in 2024, NatCen also holds the responses you provided.
How will my information be used?
The data we collect will be used for research purposes only.
Data from the interviews will be analysed thematically. NatCen will write a report and presentation of findings for the DWP covering the main themes that have been discussed in the interviews. The report may include quotes of what you have said but will not include any identifiable information (such as names or locations, for example).
The report will be published on the gov.uk website.
Data retention
All identifiable data stored by NatCen will be deleted 12 months after the research is complete. The project is estimated to finish in March 2026, meaning identifiable data will be deleted by March 2027.
Will I have access to the information I provide in the interview?
You have until two weeks after the interview takes place to withdraw from the research. You can do this by contacting the research team. Please note that once data has been anonymised and brought together for thematic analysis, it may not be possible to remove your contribution, and we would not be able to change published research findings by removing individual information. However, you can always request that your personal data be deleted or updated, and we will let you know immediately whether or not this is possible.
Who to contact if you have a query or complaint?
To contact the research team at NatCen, please email workandhealthinterview@natcen.ac.uk or call 0800 652 4569 free of charge.
If you would like to contact DWP about this research, please email research.workandhealth@dwp.gov.uk.
If you have any questions about how your data will be used, please contact NatCen’s Data Protection Officer:
Data Protection Officer
NatCen Social Research
Kings House
101-135 Kings Rd
Brentwood
CM14 4LX
Email: dpo@natcen.ac.uk
Data Protection Officers are responsible for upholding your rights and making sure we process your information correctly.
Under UK GDPR, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Contact Information
Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Helpline number: 0303 123 1113
Website: www.ico.org.uk