Data@Socitm

From the National Data Strategy, data is treated as: 

• Information collected, created or held by organisations, including public bodies. 

• A resource that can be reused, shared, and combined to deliver public benefit. 

• An asset that underpins public services, policy making and economic growth. 

From the public sector’s perspective, they define data by how it is used and valued. 

• Information the council collects and stores in the course of delivering services. 

• A strategic asset that supports service delivery, efficiency and decision making. 

• A key enabler for delivering citizen outcomes and transparency.

Data is being utilised across the public sector to enhance services and inform decision-making:  

• Data quality: It is crucial for ensuring the value of the information generated by its use. The quality can be assessed through various dimensions, including completeness, uniqueness, consistency, timeliness, validity and accuracy.  

• Data standards: Standards complement data quality by establishing consistent methods for capturing or storing data. Standards enhance the sharing and integration of data.    

• Data governance: Clear roles, responsibilities, policies, principles, and organisational structures ensure data is managed well.  

• Data sharing: Involves making the same data resources available to various applications, users and organisations. This process encompasses technologies, practices, legal frameworks and cultural elements that ensure secure data access for multiple entities while maintaining data integrity.  

• Data privacy, protection and security: Concerns how data is handled and stored. Given there will be further reliance upon AI, inputting data into AI brings its own privacy and security risks and so greater scrutiny will be needed.   

• Data ethics: Involves the ethical and moral obligations associated with collecting, sharing and using data, with a focus on ensuring that data is used fairly and appropriately. In public services, data often relates to services, individuals and personal circumstances, making ethical considerations vital.  

• Data literacy: Is the ability to explore, understand and communicate with data in a meaningful way. Developing data literacy is important for understanding and using data effectively within and across a network of organisations.   

• Data skills: Having technical knowledge and capability to deliver data projects.

The Government Digital Service (GDS) is putting the right foundations in place so the public sector can use data to deliver better services for users. Through new principles, guidance and legislation, they’re making sure data is used to its full potential, safely and ethically. 

• January 2025: launched Data Ethics Guidance Finder 
• June 2025: the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) introduced the Data (Use and Access) Act 
• January 2026: published the new Data and AI Ethics Framework

It is a collection of curated resources designed to support our members to make data driven decisions, get practical help and a deeper understanding of how you can harness data responsibly in public services.

Councils must comply with applicable laws and regulation, including UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 – GOV.UK apply strong governance, provide staff training and monitor systems.