Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Personal Data

Thursday 20 October 2022 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chi Onwurah asked the Minister about steps to give people more control over their data, citing concerns over the Government's announcement on collecting smart meter data.
  • The Minister responded that a new bespoke British data protection system will be created to give people enhanced data rights and control.
  • Chi Onwurah also inquired about the Government's October announcement regarding the collection of all British smart meter data, despite previous assurances of household control over such data.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Context

The question pertains to the UK's approach to data control, following assurances that smart meter data would be under household control and used only for billing purposes.

Question

Whether she is taking steps to give people in the UK more control over their data. This question arises from concerns about the Government's recent announcement on collecting, processing, and storing all British smart meter data despite previous assurances that such data was under household control.

Answer from Michelle Donelan

We will create a new bespoke British data protection system to give people around the world class data rights and control over their data, including creating a better complaints system and providing a framework for the delivery of smart data schemes that empower individual consumers and business customers to access and share their data simply and securely with trusted third parties.

Partly answered

Not addressed: How households can retain control of their smart meter data despite recent government announcements on collecting, processing, and storing all British smart meter data was not directly addressed.

How: I Am More Than Happy To Meet The Hon. Member And Discuss This Further

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Q2 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Taxation Energy
Context

The Government announced on October 1st that they would collect, process, and store all British smart meter data despite previous assurances that it was under household control.

Question

On 1 October, the Government announced that they would be collecting, processing and storing all British smart meter data. This is despite assurances given over many years that that data was under the control of households and that only they could decide who accessed it, and that, without express permission, it would be used only for billing purposes.

Answer from Michelle Donelan

I am more than happy to meet the hon. Member and discuss this further and also take this away to discuss with hon. and right hon. Members across Government.

Not addressed: The specific ask about how households can control their smart meter data in light of recent changes was not addressed.

How: I Am More Than Happy To Meet The Hon. Member And Discuss This Further

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