Asked by: Peter Prinsley (Labour - Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of the creation of a sovereign database to facilitate inter-government working.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department keeps under review how data can be shared more effectively and securely across government to support the delivery of public services and policy‑making.
The Government’s current approach is to enable responsible and proportionate data sharing through clear legal gateways, strong governance, and common standards, rather than through the creation of a single centralised database. This approach helps departments to retain appropriate accountability for the data they hold, while enabling interoperability where it delivers clear public benefit.
In considering any proposals that would involve greater centralisation of data, the Government would assess potential benefits alongside issues of data protection, security, value for money, and public trust, including compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation, the Digital Economy Act and wider information governance requirements.
The Department will continue to work with partners across government to improve cross‑government data sharing and interoperability in line with these principles.