techUK has urged the government to address barriers to public and private sector data sharing.

The technology trade association says that the government should make progress on work to facilitate the “right data governance framework” and a "culture of trust" to drive data sharing across the entire economy.

It warned that failure to address existing challenges could mean that the social and economic benefits of data are not being accessed.

“The benefits and potential of responsible data sharing are clear,” said Neil Ross, associate director of policy, techUK. “Already data sharing projects have helped support the UK’s response to the pandemic, drive greater financial inclusion and help us move toward achieving our net zero ambitions.”

The organisation has called on the government to step up work to facilitate "voluntary, trusted, and responsible" avenues for private and third sector data sharing, including delivering on the BEIS Smart Data workstream and Mission 1 of the National Data Strategy.

It has also recommended the government ensures ethical considerations underpin the sharing of data, particularly personal data, and called on it to outline a clear plan for the continued opening up of government and public sector data sets, with the aim of achieving near real-time reporting of data.

The association said that the government must narrow the data skills gap and address skills shortages by investing in training, upskilling, and reskilling the UK’s workforce.

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