New UK Data Law Set to Unlock £10bn in Economic Gains and Transform Public Services
A sweeping new data framework for the UK officially has come into force, as the Data (Use and Access) Act received Royal Assent.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) says the legislation will drive greater efficiency across public services and inject an estimated £10 billion into the UK economy over the next decade.
The Act introduces a suite of reforms, according to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). These include clearer guidelines for the use of personal data in research, eased constraints on automated decision-making, updated rules for cookie consent, and new allowances for charities to send marketing emails under specific conditions.
It also mandates that organisations establish formal data protection complaints procedures and introduces a new lawful basis known as “recognised legitimate interests.”
DSIT highlights the Act’s potential to revolutionise health data sharing, enabling real-time access to medical information across NHS trusts, GP surgeries, and ambulance services.
The law also aims to streamline police operations and accelerate infrastructure projects like roadworks, while formalising the development of the National Underground Asset Register, a comprehensive map of the UK’s subterranean pipes and cables.
The legislation will also support consumer technology innovation. By expanding third-party access to consumer data – such as that held by energy providers – it is expected to spur the growth of apps like price comparison tools.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said the reforms will “finally unleash” the power of public data to improve daily life: “These new laws will help families manage household budgets, simplify admin, and make services like the NHS and policing more efficient, all part of our Plan for Change.”
The ICO has published guidance outlining how the Act will impact organisations, especially in law enforcement, data protection professionals, and the general public.
Meanwhile, DSIT announced it is recruiting seven non-executive board members for the new Information Commission, the body set to replace the ICO as the UK’s data regulator. The move is aimed at ensuring diverse expertise and perspectives lead the regulator forward.
