Connecting data across business and public services for economic growth and innovation
At Ideal Postcodes, we’ve been closely following discussions around data sharing. Recently, our attention has turned to the Data (Use and Access) Bill [HL]. First introduced in the House of Lords on 23 October 2024, it’s part of the UK government’s initiative to make data more accessible and shareable. It is also forecast to generate approximately £10 billion towards the economy across ten years.
The legislation is built on three objectives that can reshape how businesses and public organisations use data.
1. Growing the economy
The bill establishes a framework for managing and sharing customer and business data, creating an environment for new businesses and services. It offers better opportunities for innovation and competition while also helping traditional industries evolve through smarter use of data.
2. Improving public services
A key aspect of the Bill is that it breaks down the barriers between different public bodies. The aim is to allow information to flow more freely, so that public services can become more efficient and responsive. This improved data sharing means that government agencies and local authorities can work together more effectively. In turn, this leads to faster access to vital information and more coordinated services that better meet the needs of communities.
3. Making people’s lives easier
The legislation is also about putting people first. It is designed to give individuals more control over their data while ensuring strong safeguards for personal privacy. With easier access to data and clearer protections in place, everyday interactions with both public and private organisations can become more straightforward and less time-consuming. This means consumers enjoy a smoother process when engaging with services.
Empowering Consumers and Businesses Through Data Sharing
The Bill puts significant focus on making customer and business data more portable across industries such as utilities, healthcare, and notably, finance. It gives the Treasury and Secretary of State the power to set new regulations that require data holders, such as banks and other financial institutions, to share specific information with authorised third parties. This approach mirrors what we already see with open banking, where banks share transaction data under strict rules and with clear consumer consent.
This initiative is expected to drive competition and innovation by opening data streams that fintech firms, analytics providers, and other innovators can build on. The Bill doesn't compromise on privacy or security. It lays out guidelines so that sensitive information such as financial records or even addresses, is only shared under robust safeguards.
Building Confidence in Digital Verification
The Bill also introduces a Digital Verification Services (DVS) framework. It sets consistent, government-backed standards for confirming personal details like age, address, and other identity attributes. Providers who want to join the new public DVS register must first complete an accreditation process. This gives businesses and public bodies confidence in the verification services they use. With accredited providers meeting set requirements, the risk of fraud from inconsistent processes is reduced.
Transforming Public Services and Infrastructure
The public sector will also go through changes. One example is the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR). Launched by the government’s Geospatial Commission, NUAR brings together utilities, telecoms, and local authorities to consolidate information on underground infrastructure like pipes and cables. GeoPlace, a key partner on this project, has highlighted that NUAR has the potential to reduce accidents and disruptions caused by roadworks, saving both time and costs.
The Bill also supports better health and social care data-sharing by giving the Secretary of State the ability to set or adjust information standards such as data formats. This is meant to ensure that patient information across the NHS and care providers is consistent.
“The NHS is broken, but imagine its enormous potential if each part of the system communicated properly with each other.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting
If done right, standardising health data could reduce administrative backlogs, shorten waiting times, and lead to more consistent care.
There’s also a push to digitise paper-based registers. Births and deaths, for instance, have historically been recorded in paper ledgers, but the Bill lays out provisions for moving these registers online. Modernising these registers will take significant time and effort, but it is a highly impactful step forward that can improve the efficiency and reliability of public services.
Addresses in Data Sharing
Although the Bill doesn't mention address data explicitly, we believe addresses are a key element in secure data sharing. Address checks already play a pivotal role in verifying someone’s identity. Digital verification providers rely on a legitimate address to prove that an individual is not only who they say they are but genuinely resides or operates at a specific location. This process reduces the risk of fraud and makes it easier for companies to onboard customers with accurate details.
Accurate address data is equally important for many public-sector services. As more records move online, having consistent, validated addresses can minimise errors and ensure that services reach the right people at the right time.
A More Connected Data Ecosystem
Data sharing is one of the central ideas behind the Data (Use and Access) Bill. It offers real opportunities for businesses, public bodies, and individuals to work together more efficiently. Of course, the Bill’s ultimate impact will depend on how well it’s implemented in practice, particularly maintaining privacy and security standards as more data flows between systems. Overall, this legislation signals a shift toward a more collaborative approach to data, and we’re here for it.