Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Accepted
Paragraph: 43
New data sources offer benefits but possess limitations, requiring integration with traditional data.
Conclusion
It is clear that the volume and variety of data generated within the UK has exploded in scale over recent years. While new sources of data have much to offer - not least in improving the timeliness of evidence, and allowing us to delve into issues in greater detail - there are things they simply cannot do. They cannot tell us about citizen’s intentions, they cannot be easily tweaked to capture the information an analyst is seeking, and they are prone to bias. The UK’s public evidence base will be best served, therefore, by bringing together old sources and new.
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, committing to keep health data arrangements under the Digital Economy Act 2017 under review and to consider amendments to data sharing powers, with implementation by the end of 2025.
Paragraph Reference:
43
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
. The Government accepts the Committee’s recommendation. DHSC recognises the value in keeping the arrangements for health data in the Digital Economy Act 2017 under review, to ensure health data can be used appropriately to improve public services and support essential research, in a legal, secure and proportionate manner. Any consideration of amendments to the existing data sharing powers under the Digital Economy Act 2017 to include health and adult care bodies in the scope of the provisions must be in line with the expectations of the public as to how their health information is used, so as to preserve public trust. The Government will implement this recommendation by the end of 2025. Government funding commitments to the UKSA