Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 42
42
The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Justin Tomlinson MP, highlighted that effective data...
Conclusion
The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Justin Tomlinson MP, highlighted that effective data sharing and intergovernmental relations ensured the successful roll-out of the Scottish Child Payment for younger children aged under six years old. He said that in that instance the Scottish Government had ‘checked in advance’109 about the availability and access to the necessary data and the DWP were able to provide that data to enable the Scottish Government to operationalise the Scottish Child Payment to children under the age of six.
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.