Source · Select Committees · Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Not Addressed
Establish an Energy Data Sharing Taskforce to improve support schemes and tackle fuel poverty.
Recommendation
The Government should immediately establish an Energy Data Sharing Taskforce involving energy suppliers, government departments, HMRC, local authorities, the National Health Service and relevant third parties. This should establish clear and effective mechanisms for data sharing with the specific ambition to improve the delivery of support schemes, enable the introduction of a social tariff and tackle fuel poverty. These improved mechanisms must be introduced before winter 2026–27. (Recommendation, Paragraph 18)
Government Response Summary
The government's response acknowledges the importance of data sharing and describes ongoing work with various departments and an existing industry working group, but it does not commit to establishing the specific 'Energy Data Sharing Taskforce' as recommended.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
Improving data accuracy and data sharing is being treated as a priority by this Government, owing to its potential to revolutionise the way in which support is delivered. The primary barrier to improving the targeting of any form of energy bill support is the availability of accurate and reliable data. DESNZ is committed to accelerating progress in enhancing data sharing, accuracy, and availability. We are working to unlock household data to enable us to target support more effectively. DESNZ continues to work with other government departments (including the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC)) to seek better and more innovative ways of matching and sharing data to be able to better target vulnerable consumers, including those on a low income. We have brought together legal and data protection experts across Government to look at how data that the Government holds can be used to identify people who need household utility support in England. The National Data Library (NDL) in DSIT will support DESNZ and other departments to reform the way energy bill support is offered to families, using data to deliver meaningful improvements. This work will aim to improve our ability to make support schemes more targeted at those in need. DESNZ has already established mechanisms for collaboration with key government departments and chairs a working group with industry representatives, primarily Energy UK, Ofgem, Devolved Administrations, other government departments and advice agencies, to take continued action on improving affordability and accessibility of energy. DESNZ will ensure that industry remains involved as this work progresses and will continue the working group to consider longer-term work on data sharing.