Data (Use and Access) Bill [HL]

Debate between Lord Vallance of Balham and Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom

Report stage
Tuesday 21st January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Vallance of Balham (Lab)]

For the reasons that I have given, I think that the trust framework is a technical document and one best dealt with in this technical form. It is built on other assurance processes, with the United Kingdom Accreditation Service overseeing the conformity accreditation bodies that will test the digital verification services. In this case, our view is that it does not need to come under parliamentary scrutiny.

On Amendments 6 and 8 from the noble Lord, Lord Lucas, I am absolutely behind the notion that the validity of the data is critical. We have to get this right. Of course, the Bill itself takes the data from other sources, and those sources have authority to get the information correct, but it is important, for a digital service in particular, that this is dealt with very carefully and that we have good assurance processes.

On the specific point about gender identity, the Bill does not create or prescribe new ways in which to determine that, but work is ongoing to try to ensure that there is consistency and accuracy. The Central Digital and Data Office has started to progress work on developing data standards and key entities and their attributes to ensure that the way data is organised, stored and shared is consistent between public authorities. Work has also been commenced via the domain expert group on the person entity, which has representations from the Home Office, HMRC, the Office for National Statistics—importantly—NHS England, the Department for Education, the Ministry of Justice, the Local Government Association and the Police Digital Service. The group has been established as a pilot under the Data Standards Authority to help to ensure consistency across organisations, and specific pieces of work are going on relating to gender in that area.

The measures in Part 2 are intended to help secure the reliability of the process through which citizens can verify their identity digitally. They do not intervene in how government departments record and store identity data. In clarifying this important distinction, and with reference to the further information I will set out, I cannot support the amendments.

[Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Con)]

I would be grateful if the Minister could confirm whether he accepts that, on some occasions, passports and drivers’ licences inaccurately reflect the sex of their holders.

[Lord Vallance of Balham (Lab)]

I can be absolutely clear that we must have a single version of the truth on this. There needs to be a way to verify it consistently and there need to be rules. That is why the ongoing work is so important. I know from my background in scientific research that, to know what you are dealing with, data is the most important thing to get. Making sure that we have a system to get this clear will be part of what we are doing.

Amendment 6 would require the Secretary of State to assess which public authorities can reliably verify related facts about a person in the preparation of the trust framework. This exercise is out of scope of the trust framework, as the Good Practice Guide 45—a standard signposted in the trust framework—already provides guidance for assessing the reliability of authoritative information across a wide range of use cases covered by the trust framework. Furthermore, the public authorities mentioned are already subject to data protection legislation which requires personal data processed to be accurate and, where relevant, kept up to date.

Amendment 8 would require any information shared by public authorities to be clearly defined, accompanied by metadata and accurate. The Government already support and prioritise the accuracy of the data they store, and I indicated the ongoing work to make sure that this continues to be looked at and improved. This amendment could duplicate or potentially conflict with existing protections under data protection legislation and/or other legal obligations. I reassure noble Lords that the Government believe that ensuring the data they process is accurate is essential to deliver services that meet citizens’ needs and ensure accurate evaluation and research. The Central Digital and Data Office has already started work on developing data standards on key entities and their attributes to ensure that the way data is organised, stored and shared is consistent.

It is our belief that these matters are more appropriately considered together holistically, rather than by a piecemeal approach through diverse legislation such as this data Bill. As such, I would be grateful if noble Lords would consider withdrawing their amendments.