UK civil servants increase data sharing within government

Nearly three-quarters of civil servants are now engaged in data sharing with other government departments, although collaboration with the private sector remains minimal, according to a recent survey by SAS.

The survey, focusing on the state of digital transformation within the UK government, found that 74% of civil servants currently share data with other departments, a modest rise from 69% two years ago. This increase is seen as part of an effort to improve the decision-making process and enhance services provided to citizens.

Despite these advancements, the survey revealed that only 34% of civil servants are collaborating with the private sector. This statistic underscores the existing need for stronger public-private partnerships aimed at fostering innovation and boosting operational efficiency.

Conducted in partnership with Total Research, an organisation associated with Civil Service World, the survey queried 170 government officials. The researchers explored shifting priorities in digital transformation, indicating a strategic move towards establishing a culture of data sharing among government departments.

This strategic pivot includes streamlining the data-sharing process, which has become a focus for 42% of civil servants in 2024, up from 37% in 2022. Similarly, there is a growing inclination to transform the data-sharing culture, rising from 35% to 40% over the same period.

The results also highlighted that a significant motivation for sharing data is to prevent fraud, errors, and wastage, an area cited by 39% of respondents. Furthermore, enhancing service delivery remains a top priority, with 60% of civil servants identifying "delivering better services to citizens" as a chief outcome of data sharing.

Caroline Payne, Data & Analytics Director, Public Sector at SAS, commented on the findings: "The recent rise in cross-government data sharing signals a promising shift towards a more cohesive public sector. This progress is critical to building a culture where information flows seamlessly, enabling data-driven decisions that enhance public services and boost citizen satisfaction."

She further noted: "However, a considerable gap persists in collaboration with the private sector - a significant opportunity for the government to tap into industry expertise, innovation, and technology, which could fundamentally transform public service delivery."

Payne emphasised the need for a concerted effort to foster a culture of collaboration, stating, "To bridge this gap, we need a concerted effort to foster a culture of collaboration. This includes raising awareness among civil servants about the benefits and opportunities of data sharing and actively encouraging partnerships that can lead to transformative outcomes. Through this, we can unlock new possibilities to design and deliver better services for citizens."