UK Government Commits to Public Information Sharing

The government set out its commitment to sharing information between public services to expand opportunities for the most disadvantaged, fight crime and provide better public services.
Today's information-sharing statement, published by the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA), goes hand in hand with the Social Exclusion Action Plan launched by the government earlier this week to enable better multi-agency working to help and support the most disadvantaged people in society.

The statement sets out how information is already being shared in a common-sense way to deliver better public services. It also illustrates how information could be shared in the future to achieve the Government's goal of better public services - delivering better results for citizens, for businesses and for society as a whole.

Minister for Social Exclusion and eGovernment Pat McFadden said, "Reaching out to individuals with complex, multiple problems to improve their life opportunities requires a comprehensive, joined-up response."

"That means using information that may be held by different professionals and agencies more effectively. For example to consider how to allow different services to work together over a single high-need adult with multiple problems. "

"We know we need to retain public trust and to ensure that technology is used not only to transform public services, but also to protect the individual."

A comprehensive plan for information-sharing across the public sector will be published in April 2007.