The government partially accepts this recommendation. The government recognises the importance of establishing arrangements that allow immediate flows of data between relevant bodies with a mechanism to resolve any disputes swiftly and decisively. The government also recognises that more needs to be done in this space. Across government, a number of programmes have been initiated to improve data sharing, data quality and data interoperability, including: ● The Data Standards Authority was established in 2019 to support government in the adoption of consistent data standards and promote interoperability across government data systems. ● The Government Digital Service is working to improve the way that government collects, manages, and uses data. ● The Central Digital and Data Office is leading the development of a new government-wide data strategy. In addition, the government has taken a number of specific steps to improve data sharing and interoperability in the health and social care sectors: ● The creation of NHSX (now merged with NHS England) in 2019 to drive the digital transformation of the NHS. ● The development of a new data strategy for health and social care, which sets out a vision for how data can be used to improve health and care services. ● The launch of the NHS Data Sharing Service, which makes it easier for organisations to share data securely. ● The use of data sharing agreements to enable the sharing of data between different organisations. ● Work to develop national data standards, which will make it easier for different systems to exchange data. The government acknowledges that there is still work to be done to improve data sharing and interoperability, but it is committed to making progress in this area. The government agrees with the recommendation that arrangements should be established and tested to allow immediate flows of data between bodies relevant to an emergency response with a mechanism to resolve immediately and decisively any disputes. The government is taking steps to improve data sharing and interoperability, and it is committed to making further progress in this area.