Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Rejected
Paragraph: 23
UK public data landscape demonstrates strengths in independence, innovation, and regulatory framework.
Conclusion
There is much to be proud of across the UK’s public data-landscape. The independence of its statisticians from the government of the day, the innovative work being undertaken by a skilled researcher community, and our unique regulatory framework all received praise from our witnesses.
Government Response Summary
The government rejects a specific 'recommended programme structure' for data sharing, instead committing to its own comprehensive approach including reinvigorating DSIT's digital centre and creating a National Data Library.
Paragraph Reference:
23
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
18. The ONS is strongly supportive of efforts to enhance data sharing across Government. As the largest producer of official statistics, we are dependent on effective data sharing across the public sector and beyond, to support more quality, timely and granular admin-based statistics. The ONS also plays a key role in supporting Government, the devolved administrations and wider academia to access data to support statistical research. As such, the ONS firmly supports the Committee’s recommendation that a cross- government data sharing programme be established. 19. To date, we have worked closely with the Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) and wider government departments to promote effective data sharing. We also played a leading role in supporting key initiatives to deliver upon the commitments within the 2022–2025 Roadmap for Digital and Data.11 We have supported a number of initiatives aimed at improving data sharing, including developing the Data Maturity Assessment for 11 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/roadmap-for-digital-and-data-2022- to-2025/transforming-for-a-digital-future-2022-to-2025-roadmap-for-digital-and-data Government;12 the identification (and publication) of Essential Shared Data Assets13 and developing common governance arrangements to support sharing of data. 20. As the lead delivery partner for the Integrated Data Service,14 the ONS has also delivered a trusted research environment in the cloud. We are uniquely well placed to facilitate access to a growing library of linked data sources to support collaborative analysis, including to support the development and delivery of Government’s key missions. However, this will only be possible with continued and increased support from key data owners across government. 21. The ONS recognises both the progress that has been made and the substantive challenges that remain to cross-Government data sharing. Therefore, the ONS welcomes the creation of a new Digital Centre of Excellence within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. We look forward to working with DSIT to define and implement a programme of work that drives a step change in data sharing to enable statistical and research use cases within Government and beyond.