8
Accepted
There are a number of issues that are undermining government’s efforts to use data analytics...
Conclusion
There are a number of issues that are undermining government’s efforts to use data analytics more widely to combat fraud and error. DSIT told us that that getting usable data can be difficult because they are held on legacy IT systems or because the data are not of good enough quality.16 The PSFA stated that government bodies find data-sharing, which underpins data analytics, difficult because different bodies use different data processes.17 Government has also acknowledged that some parts of the civil service do not have the level of digital skills required to use data analytics to their full potential.18
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's conclusion regarding data challenges and is developing a 'Discoverability Service' (expected by December 2026) to improve data sharing across government. Additionally, a new Data Asset Management Policy will be rolled out over 18 months to establish requirements for critical data asset quality, discoverability, and interoperability to tackle fraud and error.
Government Response
Accepted
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4.5 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: December 2026 4.6 The Government Digital Service (GDS) has led development of the Data Marketplace, which is a single data platform to facilitate discovery of public sector data assets. The Data Marketplace private beta phase has now concluded. Learnings from the private beta include the need to reduce the manual requirements placed upon departments to record and update metadata, and clearer guidance on identifying assets that are valuable outside of their organisation. A Discoverability Service is currently being scoped, which will build on learnings from the Data Marketplace, and link directly to departments existing tools and processes. This will significantly reduce the burden on departments and will be reusable across a broader range of data sharing use cases, including fraud and error. A Minimum Viable Product, focused on a small number of use cases, is expected to be delivered by December 2026. 4.7 To further support this work, a Data Asset Management Policy will be rolled out across government over the next 18 months. This policy sets out the requirements for central government departments and their Arm’s Length Bodies to identify and record critical data assets. It further sets out minimum requirements for quality, discoverability, and interoperability together with defining clear data ownership. This cross-government framework is essential to enable safe data reuse, improve quality and reduce duplication across departments. It will establish the lifecycle controls need to treat critical data, including within fraud and error, as an asset, supporting all strategic outcomes.
Source
Committee
Public Accounts Committee
Report
75th Report - Government use of data analytics on error and fraud
27 Mar 2026
HC 891
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age
0.3 yrs
Report published
27 Mar 2026