Written Statements

Tuesday 7th June 2022 Written Statements

Tuesday 7 June 2022

Digital Economy Act 2017: Data Sharing

Tuesday 7th June 2022 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mrs Heather Wheeler)]

The Cabinet Office’s Central Digital and Data Office has today published the Government’s response to the public consultation on data sharing to support early learning and childcare in Scotland.

In January 2022, the UK Government, in partnership with the Scottish Government, consulted on draft regulations to enable data sharing to target funded early learning and childcare for certain two-year-olds in Scotland. The consultation set out draft regulations to allow data sharing between HMRC, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Scottish Government and Scottish local authorities in order to help identify and contact households that have a two-year-old eligible for funded early learning and childcare, or ELC. The regulations would create an objective for the purpose of which relevant data may be shared under section 35 of the Digital Economy Act 2017—otherwise known as the public service delivery power.

There were 69 responses during the eight-week consultation period. Responses were decidedly positive. A clear majority of respondents agreed that the proposed data share would improve and target a service to eligible households and improve their wellbeing. Respondents also agreed that the data sharing would deliver tangible benefits to households, including early stage support to promote education, health and social equalities.

Importantly, the majority of respondents agreed that the personal data items to be shared, specifically including the customer—parent or carer—name, address and National Insurance number for unique identification, as well as a child or children indicator to confirm the existence of a child, or children, is limited to what is necessary and consistent with ELC service delivery.

The UK Government are reassured that the responses are broadly positive and welcome the helpful input from respondents. As the Scottish Parliament can only approve proposals for new objectives which solely involve specified Scottish bodies permitted to make use of the public service delivery power, and the proposed objective would involve disclosure and processing of data held by UK Departments HMRC and DWP, the draft regulations must be taken through the UK Parliament by the UK Government. The UK Government will take forward legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.

I have asked that the Government response be deposited in the Library of both Houses in Parliament and published on www.gov.uk.

[HCWS78]

Sir Robert Francis QC’s Infected Blood Compensation Study

Tuesday 7th June 2022 Written Statements

[The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General (Michael Ellis)]

Today the Government are publishing the study by Sir Robert Francis QC, which was commissioned by my predecessor as Paymaster General, the right hon. Penny Mordaunt MP.

The study makes recommendations for a framework for compensation and redress for the victims of infected blood, which can be ready to implement upon the conclusion of the infected blood inquiry, should the inquiry’s findings and recommendations require it.

Sir Robert’s study is comprehensive and detailed, and reflects the contributions of many individuals directly affected by infected blood, their recognised legal representatives, and campaign groups representing the infected and affected communities, many of whom participated in a series of meetings held by the study from July 2021 to February 2022. Sir Robert makes clear the importance of these contributions by introducing his study with a collection of moving, heartbreaking and sometimes shocking quotations from some of those who spoke to him. It is right that their views and experiences should be at the heart of his work, and I would like once again to thank all those who contributed to the study and shared their experiences with Sir Robert. I do not underestimate how difficult this must have been for many, and I am grateful for their courage.

Sir Robert will give evidence about his work to the infected blood inquiry on 11 and 12 July. Before then, it is important that the inquiry, and recognised legal representatives of its infected and affected core participants, have an opportunity to consider his work; it is most important that the Government are able to reflect upon Sir Robert’s evidence to the inquiry in considering his study.

There is a great deal of complexity to the issues that the study covers and a wide range of factors to be taken into account in considering Sir Robert’s recommendations. This analysis cannot be completed hurriedly but officials across Government are focusing on this so that the Government can be ready to respond quickly to the inquiry’s recommendations, as was intended when the study was commissioned. I will update the House as this work progresses.

I would like, once again, to thank Sir Robert and his team for their work and the timely delivery of the study.

I have asked that a copy of the study be deposited in the Library of both Houses in Parliament.

[HCWS79]