The government is pushing a new data bill in the House of Lords today, claiming it’ll enhance public services and pump £10 billion into the UK economy. The Data Use and Access Bill aims to give NHS trusts, GP surgeries, and ambulance services access to patient healthcare records. This change could save about 140,000 hours a year in NHS staff time, speeding up treatment that may ultimately save lives, according to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
This 59-page bill also supports Labour’s 10-year health strategy. It will require tech suppliers to meet specific standards to share health records seamlessly across different IT systems. On the policing side, the bill proposes that officers can access personal data from police databases without having to document their reasoning each time. The government estimates this will free up 1.5 million hours of police time and save taxpayers £43 million.
Peter Kyle, the technology secretary, believes these changes will ease the burden on the NHS and cut down on administrative tasks. He stated, “With laws that help us use data securely and effectively, this bill will enable us to boost the UK’s economy and allow our frontline workers to focus on what they do best.”
However, campaign groups worry that the bill might weaken protections against misuse of data by AI and automated processes, potentially putting people’s lives in the hands of algorithms.
On the digital identity front, DSIT suggests that the new bill will make online identity verification easier, whether for renting a flat or starting a job. It will establish Digital Verification Services, giving companies a government “trust mark” to validate their identity-verification tools.
Julie Dawson from Yoti emphasized the impact of digital IDs, which can streamline everyday tasks like purchasing restricted items, collecting parcels, and opening bank accounts. She noted that while countries like Australia and Germany advance their digital ID systems, the UK risks falling behind if it doesn’t act swiftly.
The bill also aims to enhance online safety by allowing researchers access to data from online platforms to study harmful content. Additionally, it seeks to replace paper-based death registrations with electronic systems to streamline that process, giving people the option to register deaths via phone.
Another aspect involves establishing the National Underground Asset Register to map underground infrastructure, mandating water and telecom companies to register their assets. This is projected to prevent accidents, which currently cost the economy £2.4 billion annually.
Historically, these proposals were part of the previous government’s Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, which never passed. Greg Palmer from Linklaters noted that the current bill avoids overly radical reforms that could jeopardize the UK’s data-sharing status with the EU. It retains a focus on high data protection standards while addressing gaps in the current system, such as requiring quicker investigations by the data protection commissioner.
In healthcare, NHS England’s Vin Diwakar highlighted that easing data use will allow professionals more time with patients, improving overall care. Meanwhile, Diana Johnson, the minister for crime and policing, expressed that the bill would help law enforcement focus on public safety rather than administrative tasks.
Yet, concerns linger regarding the removal of police data logging requirements, which could conflict with EU regulations. Some critics fear that loosening these requirements may impact the UK’s ability to maintain its data-sharing status with Europe.
The Open Rights Group has voiced alarm over the bill’s potential to enable automated decision-making in critical areas like policing and welfare. They argue this could lead to life-altering decisions made without human oversight. The bill could also allow data collected for one reason to be shared for another, which poses risks for privacy.
As the government sets the stage for these new measures and reforms, the balance between efficiency, safety, and individual privacy remains a pressing issue.