A new Data Use and Access Bill has been introduced in Parliament, aiming to boost the UK economy by £10 billion and save millions of hours for police and NHS staff.

The bill seeks to enhance secure data usage for public benefit, reducing bureaucratic hurdles for police and streamlining patient data transfer within the NHS for quicker decision-making. It will also simplify processes like property rental and employment onboarding through trusted online identity verification and electronic birth and death registrations.

Robust safeguards will protect personal data, ensuring compliance with high security standards. Proposed by the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology, the bill focuses on economic growth, improving public services, and simplifying daily life, with oversight from a restructured Information Commissioner’s Office.

Additionally, it supports open banking and smart data schemes, allowing consumers to share information safely for better market insights and cost reduction. This could extend to the energy sector, helping customers compare utility prices and foster competition.

The bill will establish the National Underground Asset Register (NUAR) to reduce accidents related to underground infrastructure, improve construction safety, and require utility owners to register assets. It will also introduce certified digital verification services, contributing an estimated £4.3 billion to the economy over the next decade.

Finally, the bill modernizes the registration of births and deaths in England and Wales, moving from a paper-based system to an electronic one to support families during difficult times.

Link the Government bill: Data (Use and Access) Bill [HL] – Parliamentary Bills – UK Parliament