Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 41
41
Andrew Latto, Deputy Director, Devolution, Pensioner Benefits and Carer’s Allowance Policy Group at the DWP...
Conclusion
Andrew Latto, Deputy Director, Devolution, Pensioner Benefits and Carer’s Allowance Policy Group at the DWP told us told us that there are existing processes in place through which the DWP process data requests based on whether it exists, whether they are legally entitled to share it, and if it exists, whether they can operationally share it. 107 He told us that: the basic principle that our chief data officer operates under is that we are prepared to share the minimum viable dataset we hold on citizens who make claims. In the case of the Scottish Government, once the Scottish Government have verified the identity of the person that they are dealing with, then we are content to share the data, providing it is clearly relevant to the new benefit that is being delivered to them.108 100 Q157 101 Q156 102 Q156 103 Q149 104 Q156 105 Scottish Government, Carer’s Allowance Supplement, Accessed 7 May 2021 106 Department for Work and Pensions (WPS0021) 107 Q186 108 Q187 Welfare policy in Scotland 23
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
DWP considers fully and responds to all data sharing requests from the Scottish Government. It has established a dedicated Scottish Devolution Data Sharing Board, which brings together DWP experts to fully consider any requests and ensure that responses are managed consistently and efficiently. This Board considers any legal constraints and how these could be mitigated, ensuring there is protection of claimants’ rights, clarity of purpose, proportionality of data shared, and a consideration of whether DWP is the most appropriate source for the highest quality, most up-to- date data available. DWP is already working with the Scottish Government to ensure a clearer understanding of data processes. To do this, the Chief Data Officers of DWP and the Scottish Government have previously established a regular forum to address all aspects of sharing data across the two organisations. DWP’s Data Sharing Policy Statement has been shared with the Scottish Government to enable clear understanding between both organisations, and to ensure consistency. Each data sharing request must be examined, and the data decisions must be made and discharged by DWP, as the relevant Data Controller, in line with its legal accountabilities.