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techUK responds to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee's report into the Big Data Dilemma and welcomes its findings.

On Friday 12 February the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee launched the findings of its “Big Data Dilemma” inquiry.

The detailed report highlights the potential economic and social opportunities offered by the increased amount of data being created which, the report highlights, is expected to grow by 40% every year between now and 2026. techUK welcomes the Committee’s recognition of the UK’s Big Data success to date and the potential of Big Data to create 58,000 new jobs, be a key drive of productivity, and contribute £216 billion to the UK’s economic growth. However, the report highlights that the full transformative potential of Big Data will only be realised if the UK has the necessary skills and infrastructures in place and that concerns around data privacy and security are addressed.

Sue Daley, Head of Big Data, Cloud and Mobile explains: “The Committee’s report draws heavily on the points raised in our written and oral submission to the inquiry. In particular, how the UK’s Big Data leadership is underpinning digital transformation across both the public and private sectors and the considerable economic contribution made by Big Data to the UK in terms of GDP, employment and as a driver of productivity. As recommended in the report, it’s vital we have a long term strategy to ensure the UK can realise the full benefits of Big Data.”

The Committee also echoes concerns raised by techUK relating to the need to solve the big data skills gap, by ensuring a domestic talent pipeline and a smart migration policy. The report echoes our call for a clear and workable data protection legal framework and the importance of addressing consumer data trust and confidence concerns.

In order for the UK to realise the full potential of Big Data the Committee makes a number of key recommendations including:

• The need for Government to support the development of data analytics skills and consider the digital skills gap in relation to its policies on apprenticeships and immigration controls
• The forthcoming Government Digital Strategy to set out a “clear course” for how the UK can capitalise on its Big Data leadership, ensure the application of big data within the public sector and an anonoymisation strategy for big data
• The promotion of an ICO developed kite mark for good practice in data privacy and the introduction into UK law of a criminal penalty for malicious data protection breaches
• The establishment of a “Council of Data Ethics” within the Alan Turing Institute to address legal and ethical concerns relating to data privacy and security.

techUK welcomes the Committee findings and will be working with members to consider the recommendations and possible next steps that may be required. For example the creation of a “Council of Data Ethics” is an issue that techUK will be exploring along with the Royal Statistical Society and the Alan Turing Institute. We are also re-launching techUK’s Big Data Skills Working Group on 24 February 2016 which will discuss how we should address the big data skills gap, as identified as necessary by the Committee.

Members interested in getting involved in activities of the Big Data and Analytics work programme are asked to contact Sue Daley.

Click below for a copy of the techUK written submission to the Science and Technology Committee. A link to the video of techUK’s oral evidence
to the Committee can be found here.

TECHUK BIG DATA DILEMMA SUBMISSION (PDF)