Changes to the DPA return in 2023-24

There are no changes to the collection for 2023-24. 

The validation tab contains all validation rules which are included in the collection sheet.

Where a validation is passed the cell will be green, whereas a breach will be in red so that it can be easily identified.

Please ensure you thoroughly review this tab and address any validation errors. Validation rules may be breached due to data being entered incorrectly, but we also appreciate that in some cases a validation may fail where data are correct.

Each validation row contains a breach reason cell, which allows an explanation to be provided if data have failed validation, but data are correct (for example data vary significantly from the previous year due to known factors).

Please ensure that a breach reason is provided for every failed validation – this will aid us in the processing of the data and reduce the amount of follow up discussions we may need to have with you after submission.

If you have any queries on the content of this guidance document or the DPA data return, please contact [email protected].