Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to encourage engagement with the Data Sharing Code of Practice, published by the Information Commissioner's Office on 17 December 2020.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the UK’s independent data protection regulator and has a statutory duty under the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) to produce a code of practice that provides practical guidance on data sharing. The ICO is engaging with organisations to help them understand the code and promote the benefits of sharing data. Alongside the code, the ICO has launched a data sharing information hub on its website, where organisations can find clear guidance and practical tools for organisations and businesses on how to share data fairly, lawfully and transparently, while protecting people’s personal information.

The Government is committed to working with the ICO to promote responsible data sharing which can have benefits for the economy and the delivery of public services. The National Data Strategy recognised that better use of data can help organisations of every kind succeed – across the public, private and third sectors. Data can be a driver of scientific and technological innovation, and central to the delivery of a whole range of vital public services and societal goals, from tackling climate change to supporting the National Health Service.