The new Labour government has introduced two replacement Bills following the previous Conservative government’s legislative “wash up” prior to the election. The Digital Information and Smart Data Bill (DISDB) aims to focus on sharing data to facilitate growth in a secure way, harnessing the power of data for economic growth, supporting a modern digital government, and improving people’s lives.
Some proposals in the DISDB include establishing a Digital Verification Services, Smart Data schemes, moving to an electronic system for birth and death registration, and strengthening the Information Commissioner’s Office. Additionally, the Bill includes developing a National Underground Asset register, establishing a Data Preservation Process, and allowing broader consent for data use in scientific research.
The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill (CSRB) is part of the government’s pledge to enhance cybersecurity measures and protect the digital economy. The Bill will expand the current UK NIS regulations, provide regulators with greater powers, implement increased incident reporting, and potentially establish legislation for artificial intelligence models.
While there is no timescale for the implementation of these Bills into legislation, the limited information provided is positive for UK businesses. It remains to be seen what the detailed provisions and long-term impact will be. Amy Peacey, a partner at Clarke Willmott in Southampton, shared insights on the potential implications of these Bills.