Independent report

National Data Library report: research into public attitudes towards government data sharing

Qualitative research exploring public understanding of and feelings towards government data sharing, and initial reactions to an early-stage concept for improving access to public sector data.

• From: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
• Published: 15 April 2026

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National Data Library Report: executive summary

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National Data Library Report

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Details

DSIT commissioned IPSOS to carry out qualitative research on public attitudes towards government data sharing between February and March 2025.

The research explored public understanding of and attitudes towards government data sharing, including initial reactions to the concept of a National Data Library, for facilitating access to data held across government. The scenarios discussed were hypothetical and do not reflect current government policy.

The research found:

• participants identified improved public services and reduced administrative burden as potential benefits
• once the concept of a data access facilitator was explained, participants were broadly open to the idea and became more comfortable with the proposals
• participants set out clear expectations for robust governance, strict access controls, transparency about data use and meaningful public involvement in shaping how any such platform develops
• the research highlighted the importance of clear, jargon-free communication, given limited public awareness of current government data sharing practices

Published 15 April 2026