New data laws to boost British businesses, protect consumers and seize the benefits of Brexit

The plans for the reform bill were outlined as part of London Tech Week and include proposals to replace unnecessary paperwork to deliver around £1 billion in business savings.

As part of the reform there will be tougher fines for firms hounding people with nuisance calls and a clampdown on bureaucracy, red tape and paperwork in an effort to transform the UK’s data laws for the digital age and seize the benefits of Brexit.

Data-driven trade generated nearly three-quarters of the UK’s total service exports and generated an estimated £234 billion for the economy in 2019.

Data fuels innovation in every area of the global economy. For consumers, data powers the everyday apps they use to get around, shop online and manage finances. It helps public and private sector organisations make better decisions so they can trade, manufacture and deliver public services more effectively. It was used efficiently and responsibly in the nation’s fight against COVID-19 to model and ultimately control the spread of the virus.

To round off London Tech Week, the government is publishing its response to a consultation that aims to harness the power of data to help British businesses trade abroad, boost the UK’s position as a science and technology superpower, and improve people’s everyday lives.

It sets out how the Data Reform Bill announced in this year’s Queen’s speech will strengthen the UK’s high data protection standards while reducing burdens on businesses to deliver around £1 billion in cost savings that they can use to grow their business, boosting the economy.

The plans will modernise the Information Commissioner’s Office, the data regulator, so it can better help businesses comply with the law. It will also gain tougher powers to crack down on nuisance calls.

As well as empowering the UK to strike new data partnerships, the reforms will fuel the responsible use of data for innovation by providing clearer definitions on how consent is obtained for research.

Digital Secretary Nadine Dorries said the new Data Reform Bill will make it easier for businesses and researchers to unlock the power of data to grow the economy and improve society, but retains the UK’s global gold standard for data protection.

Outside of the EU, the new bill can ensure people can control their personal data while preventing businesses, researchers and civil society from being held back by a lack of clarity and cumbersome EU legislation.