Lords asks government to think again on Data (Use and Access) Bill

The aim of the Data (Use and Access) Bill is to harness the power of data for economic growth, support a modern digital government, and improve people’s lives.

Report stage

Report stage is an extra chance for members to closely scrutinise elements of the bill and make changes.   

Proposed changes

Report stage took place on Tuesday 21 and Tuesday 28 January.

Members speaking on the final day of report stage put forward amendments (PDF) to the bill on subjects including:

• the data commissioner's status as an independent authority
• code of practice on children's data and education
• creation of non-consensual sexually explicit images, film and audio.

Votes

There were two divisions (votes) on amendments regarding:

• assessment reports on the data commissioner's performance
• creation of a 'data dictionary' to ensure consistency in the definition of personal attributes.

Following the votes, the amendments were agreed to and the changes were made.

Catch up

• Watch the Parliament TV recording - part one and part two.
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript - part one and part two.

Explore further information

Find out more about the bill in the House of Lords Library briefing.

Next steps

Third reading, a chance for members to ‘tidy up' the bill, ensuring the text is effective, workable and without loopholes, is scheduled for Wednesday 5 February.

What's happened so far?

Report stage day one: Tuesday 21 January

Members speaking on day one of report stage put forward amendments (PDF) to the bill on subjects including:

• ensuring public authorities such as the DVLA and HM Revenue and Customs provide accurate information
• regulation of digital verification
• creating an offence regarding the false use of digital identity documents.

Votes

There were three divisions (votes) on proposed changes to the bill regarding:

• revisions to the list of public bodies that must reliably ascertain the personal data attributes that they collect
• providing guidance to relevant stakeholders on cyber-security measures before they may receive information from the National Underground Asset Register
• qualifying that the scientific research exception for data reuse only occur if in the public interest

Members voted to agree to the above amendments so the changes were made.

Further votes took place on laying the digital verification service trust framework before Parliament and ensuring AI programmes used in automated decision making have regard for safety, security, robustness, appropriate transparency and explainability, fairness, accountability and governance, and contestability and redress. Members voted against these amendments so the changes were not made.

Catch up

• Watch on Parliament TV: part one and part two
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript: part one and part two.

Committee stage

Committee stage, line-by-line examination of the bill, concluded on Wednesday 18 December.

Second reading

Second reading, the main debate on the key principles and main purpose of the draft law, took place on Tuesday 19 November.

Image: Pixabay (Gerd Altmann)