The government is preparing a new law that will enable
it to share more data.
The government has plans to introduce a fast-track procedure to
remove legal barriers to data sharing where, it says, "there is a
genuine case".
The government said, "We intend to bring forward legislation to
confer upon the Secretary of State a power to permit or require the
sharing of personal information between particular persons or
bodies, so long as a robust case can be made to use that
power."
The secretary of state will be able to repeal or amend existing
laws that stand in the way of data sharing, or create a new power
to share information where that power is currently absent.
The government was responding to the
Data Sharing Review that was written by the Information
Commissioner Richard Thomas and Mark Walport of the Wellcome
Trust.
They recommended a fast-track procedure be created, and the
recommendation was agreed with.
The
response, published by the Ministry of Justice, said, "The
sharing of personal data between government departments in a secure
and appropriate manner is essential to protect the public and to
deliver public services.
"The ability of government to share data performs a crucial role
in, among other things, protecting children and other vulnerable
groups and individuals, protecting individuals against crime and
disorder, and improving health and education provision."