The UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has introduced a new Data Use and Access Bill aimed at harnessing data to boost the UK economy by £10bn. The bill also seeks to improve public services such as the National Health Service (NHS) and police.
Unveiled in the UK Parliament this week, the new bill is part of the government’s broader strategy to rejuvenate public services, stimulate economic growth, enhance public safety, and modernise healthcare.
The bill seeks to reduce the administrative burden on frontline workers. The government claims the legislation is likely to free up 1.5 million hours annually for police officers by cutting unnecessary paperwork, allowing them to spend more time addressing crime. This is projected to save £42.8m in taxpayer money each year.
For the NHS, the bill aims to improve the accessibility of patient information like pre-existing conditions, appointments, and tests in real-time across different healthcare providers. It will mandate IT suppliers to meet common standards, enabling access to patient data regardless of the system in use. This is expected to free up 140,000 hours of NHS staff time annually, which may speed up patient care and improving health outcomes.
In addition, the bill is intended to support the growth of open banking and smart data schemes, which allow consumers and businesses to securely share data with authorised third parties to receive personalised financial advice and market comparisons. This model could be expanded to sectors such as energy, helping consumers find better deals and reduce energy consumption.
The bill will also place the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) on a statutory basis, making it compulsory for infrastructure owners, including water companies and telecom operators, to register their assets on the NUAR. This move is expected to generate £400m annually and reduce economic disruptions that currently cost £2.4bn.
“Data is the DNA of modern life and quietly drives every aspect of our society and economy without us even noticing – from our NHS treatments and social interactions to our business and banking transactions”, said the DSIT secretary Peter Kyle. “It has the enormous potential to make our lives better, boosting our National Health Service, cutting costs when we shop, and saving us valuable time.”
According to the government, the new legislation will also make daily life easier for the public by simplifying key processes like renting a flat, starting a new job, or registering births and deaths.
Furthermore, the Data Use and Access Bill is claimed to support efforts to tackle online harms by creating a framework for researchers to access data held by online platforms. This may enable independent research into online safety trends, improving transparency and helping to develop effective measures for reducing harmful content.
Criticisms emerge on the Data Use and Access Bill
While the UK government’s new bill presents an opportunity to enhance economic growth and streamline public services, criticisms have emerged that it could inadvertently allow the state or big-tech firms to exploit citizens’ data for their own benefit rather than for the public good.
Critics have voiced concerns about the potential pitfalls of the legislation, particularly regarding the automation of data protection tasks, which are intended to ensure a “human in the loop” approach when determining which personal data should be shared.
The bill’s emphasis on smart data schemes is particularly significant for the telecommunications sector. These schemes could enable price comparison websites to provide tailored comparisons for broadband and mobile services, potentially helping consumers save money. However, the possibility of personalised pricing also raises alarms about unfair price discrimination, where some customers might end up paying more for the same service.
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