Debate contribution: The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025

Debate contribution by Mr David Honeyford on 30 June 2025.

MLA

Mr David Honeyford

Party at the time

Alliance Party

Date

30 June 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Executive Committee Business

Heading

The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5043699

Read the official Assembly record

Text

On behalf of the Alliance Party, I acknowledge the passage of the legislation, which marks a significant shift in how personal, business and public-sector data is accessed, shared and governed across the UK. It is disappointing that it has come to us as a take-note motion and has not been given adequate time to come through the Finance Committee. The legislation introduces a modernised approach to data regulation, and its intention is to empower individuals, stimulate innovation and improve the efficiency of public services by enabling better data sharing. Although it is UK-wide legislation, it contains important provisions that fall squarely in the legislative competence of the Assembly. I will quickly look at a few of those provisions: smart data, the National Underground Asset Register and the amendment to section 35 of the Digital Economy Act 2017. The legislation provides for the creation of a regulated smart data scheme that enables individuals and businesses to securely share their data with authorised third parties. That is potentially transformational. Smart data, whether it is used by an energy company or in a banking product, can unlock competition and improve customer choice. It also makes markets work better for people, but it is crucial that we ensure that our citizens are not just protected but empowered by the legislation. Putting our constituents at the forefront of any change that comes through is key. That means maintaining strong safeguards around consent, identification, verification and redress mechanisms while creating conditions for responsible innovation in our local economy. As we in the Assembly consider our role in supporting and potentially developing complementary legislation, we must focus on inclusion and local benefit, especially for not only our constituents, as I said, but for small businesses and rural communities. If we look at the National Underground Asset Register, we see that it aims to provide an accurate and accessible map of underground infrastructure, be it water pipes, gas pipes, Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) cables or whatever. The benefits of that include the acceleration of construction and the enhancement of public safety. I know that the construction industry would love to have something along the lines of that register, because, without one, they spend so much time trying to find underground assets. In principle, the register is transformational. It is particularly relevant given the legacy of our fragmented utility records and the increased pace of infrastructure renewal that is needed in Northern Ireland, particularly for waste water, housing and broadband. The Act amends section 35 of the Digital Economy Act 2017, which governs public authority data sharing for public service delivery. That change aims to simplify and expand the use of data-sharing powers across public bodies, which will enable better coordination, more proactive services and, ultimately, better outcomes for the public. If that is done well, it could support a more joined-up government, reduce duplication and improve the speed and accuracy of services. However, trust is paramount for that. Data sharing must always be proportionate, transparent and accountable, with safeguards in place to prevent misuse. There are a number of concerns about the Act. We are disappointed to see that the Government chose to remove a Lords amendment that would have required companies to declare which copyrighted works were used to train AI models. Representatives from the creative industries, including the Musicians' Union, have argued that the removal of that amendment weakened copyright protections and opened the door for the uncompensated use of artists' work by AI developers. Concerns have also been raised about the sections of the Act that allow for the expansion of data-sharing arrangements through secondary legislation with minimal parliamentary scrutiny. The Assembly needs to be vigilant about that and ensure that any expansion of data sharing is matched by robust oversight and transparency and by public trust. I urge the Executive and relevant Committees to engage constructively with the UK Departments and regulators to ensure that we are not left behind but lead the way in delivering data-driven services that are fair, efficient and accountable.

670 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 13:06 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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