Making data deliver for public services

Effective data use could produce huge benefits for the government. It could even increase operational efficiency by up to 20%, according to a recent study by McKinsey & Company, enough to offset most of the UK's public sector deficit. A change like that would free up a significant amount of time and resources that could be focussed on areas where they’re desperately needed.

At TPXimpact, we are always looking for innovative ways to use data to be part of this solution. Look at how we helped the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust to optimise ambulance journey times and minimise wasted trips. Or how we supported the Department for Transport to open up road data so people can get from A to B quicker. 

But this only scratches the surface. Lots more needs to be done to help the public sector harness the vast amounts of information it holds, as well as emerging technologies. As data use grows and new technologies help us be more creative, the government has a role to play in removing common challenges so people can do what they do best - creativity and innovation.

Incentivising data sharing

It’s a trope to say Government departments often operate in silos, but it’s grounded in an unfortunate reality. Valuable opportunities to share data and create real impact are being lost. Sir Robert Chote, chair of the UK Statistics Authority, has spoken about this, highlighting the sad “unrealised potential” of connecting data to develop innovative ideas and enhance policies.

Labour has recognised this issue and taken steps towards improvement with the Digital Information and Smart Data Bill. While this legislation is a positive move, the key challenge lies in the cultural shift. Departments need to understand the value of collecting data more intelligently and making it accessible to other areas of government that can benefit from it, all while maintaining strict data protection and auditing processes.

From our work discovering and developing the Government Data Exchange we learned that the real barrier is not technical, but organisational. Standards can help streamline the process, but the focus must be on motivating data owners to invest in curating and sharing their information. Clear incentives—such as demonstrating the tangible benefits of collaboration and creating accountability—are essential for driving this change. Central government must take the lead here. It needs to provide departments with training, messaging and guidance to drive this cultural shift.

At TPXimpact we work with teams to understand the motivations behind data sharing and use product approaches to incentivise openness.

Robust AI data management 

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning presents exciting opportunities for the public sector. But they also reinforce an old truth: "garbage in, garbage out." 

AI-driven decisions and predictions rely on algorithms that are informed by data, but both the information and the models themselves are often imperfect. While they may still provide useful insights, to get true value it’s essential to match the data and model to the specific question at hand. This requires a clear understanding of what data is being used, how it's collected, its accuracy, how up-to-date it is, and whether it’s complete enough to inform sound decisions.

Without clear, systematic oversight of how data is managed, there’s a risk that the outputs of AI systems could be misleading or flawed. We’ve seen examples of this with the benefits system, with Bulgarian nationals having their benefits suspended after being identified by the DWP’s Integrated Risk and Intelligence Service as being high risk after carrying out automated data analytics. Investing in strong data management practices will ensure that AI is used effectively and responsibly, delivering real value for government and the public.

This is why we always design with data from the start, ensuring our clients understand data intent, provenance and lineage whenever they use it.

Balancing public engagement and privacy

Engaging the public in data use for the common good while protecting individual privacy is a delicate balance. For instance, medical research can benefit hugely from access to comprehensive health data. But past attempts to share this information have often failed due to public concerns over privacy and security. People are right to have concerns about how their data is being used, and the government needs to build public confidence by ensuring transparency and giving individuals control over their personal information. This means providing clear details on how data will be used and implementing strong safeguards to protect privacy.

Building a data-driven future

Data is a powerful tool that can revolutionise the way our public sector operates for the better —if used correctly. We have extensive experience in helping different public sector organisations make the most of their data and have witnessed first hand how good data use can benefit services and people.

With the right approach, government departments can harness this information to not only improve their own operations but also build better public services and drive economic growth. The future lies in the responsible and strategic use of data, and the time to act is now.

To find out how we can help you harness the full potential of your data, contact Bill Roberts.