Experts from across government have weighed in on the key opportunities and challenges around using data to transform public bodies, at the Think Data for Government event in London. A diverse range of expert speakers discussed current thinking and offered best practices on leveraging data for good.
“Think Data for Government has been an increasingly important event for the data leaders across the UK public sector to get together and share the amazing insight into the projects taking place and the challenges being faced when providing modern and safe citizen services,” said Matt Stanley, owner and publisher of Think Digital Partners.
“With more than 30 brilliant speakers, seven sponsor partners and around 400 registrations, this conference provides the perfect networking environment for important discussions to take place both on and off stage.
“This conference was obviously postponed due to the summers general election and we are already well into the speaker recruitment process for our next Data for Government conference on December 4. Today’s conference was oversubscribed and so please do register for the December event now to ensure your seat is saved.”
At a glance: Think Data for Government highlights
- In the conference government keynote, Jonathan Roberts, director and CDO at the Ministry of Justice discussed how the MoJ is working to improve data quality and sharing. He detailed how it is leveraging tools to disrupt criminal networks in prisons and enhance rehabilitation programs. He said the MoJ was adopting a pragmatic approach, emphasising strategic data use to transform services and improve outcomes, integrating data analytics and AI into daily operations.
- Next Amazon Web Services (AWS) weighed in on the integration of data analytics and AI technologies in the UK public sector, particularly its work with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Key points included the importance of data governance, the need for ethical AI frameworks, and the challenges of scaling AI applications. The DWP emphasised the necessity of safeguards, data control, and the development of a policy framework.
- In a panel addressing collaboration within data-driven initiatives, Craig Campbell from the Greater London Authority (GLA) highlighted the High Streets Data Service, a partnership of 35 local authorities using pooled resources to access big data on high street spend. Hippo’s Simeon Souttar detailed GAMSTOP, a scheme to help individuals restrict their online gambling, where it manages 300 million API requests daily. Andrew Newman from the Open Data Institute (ODI) discussed OpenActive, a Sport England initiative to standardise data across the sporting sector. Key points included the importance of user value, technical assistance, and regulatory compliance in driving data collaboration and trust.
- The use of data by regulators is rapidly evolving. The following discussion highlighted the rapid evolution of data use by regulators, such as the Gambling Commission and the Pensions Regulator, moving from offline surveys to real-time monitoring. Lisa Allen from The Pensions Regulator emphasised the importance of data in transforming pension regulation, while Fred Langford from Ofcom discussed the challenges of online safety and the need for transparency and researcher access to data. Both speakers stressed the importance of collaboration among regulators to ensure effective and efficient data use.
- Data is a crucial tool for organisations that want to improve their environmental footprint. DWP Digital’s Ishmael Burdeau revealed that 85-90% of DWP’s emissions come from scope 3 emissions, emphasisng the need to address supply chain emissions and internal data consumption. Hannah Prior from Microsoft stressed the importance of understanding and reporting scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, and the role of data in driving sustainability. Both speakers agreed on the necessity of better data governance, reducing data redundancy, and improving data hygiene. The conversation underscored the need for cross-departmental collaboration and effective data management to achieve sustainability goals.
- How does a world-leading weather service adapt to process hundreds of thousands of user feedback submissions? The Met Office and Made Tech collaborated to enhance their weather prediction process by transitioning from manual forms and spreadsheets to an automated machine learning pipeline. This improved the speed of response to user feedback, allowing for quicker testing and implementation of new features. The partnership also facilitated better internal collaboration and data-driven decision-making. They integrated generative AI to make data analysis accessible to non-technical stakeholders, aiming for cost optimisation and improved understanding of their technology. The discussion also touched on the importance of user feedback in improving public trust and the need for secure data handling practices.
- The next expert panel focused on data collaboration and insights among local authorities and police forces, featuring the Greater London Authority (GLA), Cheshire West and Chester Council and Thames Valley Police. They discussed the challenges of data integration within local councils and the importance of data literacy. Thames Valley Police’s Tori Olphin MBE stressed the need for trust and clear communication in data sharing, especially in sensitive areas like domestic abuse. The discussion also covered the importance of ethical data practices, the role of local authorities in data governance, and the complexities of cross-border data sharing.
- How can government and the wider public sector attract and develop the skilled, diverse data professionals the UK needs? That was the next topic on the agenda, with spokespeople from the Home Office, DVSA and Ministry of Defence (MoD) addressing the evolution of data culture and capabilities in government and public sector organisations. Key points included the importance of senior leadership buy-in, stakeholder engagement, and the need for a diverse workforce.
- The final panel of the day examined the future of data in public services, emphasizing the importance of multi-agency data sharing and interoperability. Participants the Department for Transport, Department of Health & Social Care and Capita Public identified trust issues and the need for shared goals as key challenges. The panel also discussed the importance of using data to improve services, reducing unnecessary data, and leveraging citizen-generated data for innovation.
If you missed yesterday’s conference why not register for the next in this brilliant Data for Government conferences. It is on December 4th and you can register here, but be quick as numbers are limited and this one was sold out.
