Policy Decisions Use of Data 2021-09-23

2021-09-23

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Context
The question arises from a need to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government policies through better use of data.
What steps is the Government taking to improve its use of data to inform policy decisions?
The national data strategy sets out a vision to transform the Government's use of data. The declaration on government reform, published in June, further committed to data being central to decision making, and the new Central Digital and Data Office is implementing common data standards and data-sharing frameworks to underpin better use of data in policy making.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2 Direct Answer
Context
The question stems from the recognition that during the pandemic, comparable data in the NHS significantly improved policy decisions and patient outcomes.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that the Health and Care Bill needs to help facilitate UK-wide comparable and interoperable data?
My hon. Friend brings a welcome clinical focus, and he is absolutely right on the importance of data and interoperability. He will know that the data strategy for health and social care—Data Saves Lives—along with the Health and Care Bill, which he mentioned, seeks to improve data sharing across the health system for the reasons that he rightly highlights.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Context
The question is prompted by concerns about the transparency of government spending and research into public attitudes towards the Union in Scotland.
Why will the Minister not publish polling information that suggests support for Scottish independence is up, given that it is funded by taxpayers?
I would have thought that, when talking about data, we would have been talking about the fiscal support that has been offered to Scotland, about the way in which the Scottish Government's powers have not been used and about how we can get better delivery from the Scottish Government in areas such as education and drugs policy, where the data are absolutely chronic at the moment. I would hope that the Scottish Government will welcome the data strategy, as it will ensure that policy making is informed by good quality data and focused on good outcomes.
Assessment & feedback
The specific request for polling information was not addressed; instead, unrelated issues were highlighted.
Changing The Subject To Fiscal Support Highlighting Issues With Scottish Government'S Use Of Powers
Response accuracy