Written evidence submitted by Connected Places Catapult (DCG0027)

Digital Centre of Government

CPC overview

Connected Places Catapult is the UK’s innovation accelerator for transport, the built environment, cities and local growth. We are part of the Innovate UK Catapult Network of nine technology and innovation centres providing world-class R&D facilities and technical expertise to support UK business innovation.

We work with businesses, knowledge partners, and public bodies to bridge the gap between discovery and the market so that the opportunities of innovation can be adopted and scaled in communities, towns, and cities across the country.

Our reasons for responding to the review

There is a significant opportunity to enhance the sharing and use of public sector data, which is essential for unlocking economic value both within and between places, as well as across key sectors of the economy.

The proposed National Data Library represents a crucial step in driving innovation and growth, while the AI Opportunities Action Plan has identified the potential for a £47 billion annual GDP uplift for the UK over the next decade.

To support these ambitions, we are collaborating with the Catapult Network and the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology to establish a Data Sharing Infrastructure Hub. By accelerating the adoption and deployment of AI, this initiative could contribute up to £3.1 billion in economic growth over the next ten years, ensuring that data is leveraged effectively and securely to maximize its transformative potential.

This submission is in response to the Government’s proposed National Data Library and how this could be supported and taken forward with the support of the Catapult Network. 

Data Sharing Infrastructure Hub

The Catapult Network, coordinated by Connected Places Catapult, proposes the creation of the Data Sharing Infrastructure Hub (DSIH) to advance secure, efficient, and ethical data sharing across sectors. According to Frontier Economics, using top-down modelling, this initiative will create benefits to the economy of up to £3,191 million (net present value) and deliver a benefit-cost ratio of up to 27.9. 

Following a period of extensive consultation with government and industry, providing robust evidence to support this initiative, an Economic Case and Strategic Case have been developed. These align with key national priorities, including the Industrial Strategy, AI Opportunities Action Plan, National Data Library, and the Technology Adoption Review. 

The case has been shared with the Digital Markets and Data Economy team at the Department of Science Innovation and Technology. It has drawn from the Frontier model to support its business case for the next Spending Review (SR2). The Frontier Economic Case can be shared with other government departments to optimise the combined economic value.

Strategic Justification

Data is a national asset critical to driving economic growth, innovation, and public service improvement. Current data-sharing efforts are fragmented, leading to inefficiencies and missed opportunities. The Catapults recognise the need for infrastructure where existing data can be safely and securely accessed. The DSIH will address this by:

• Coordinating data-sharing activities to reduce duplication and costs.
• Establishing transparent governance frameworks.
• Promoting best practices, standards, and secure data-sharing protocols.
• Enabling cross-sector data interoperability.

Recommended Actions

• Alignment: Departments considering data-sharing initiatives (including as part of SR2) should align with the DSIH to demonstrate a coordinated, cross-sector approach.
• Engagement: Leverage the DSIH to inform policy, legislation, and investment strategies.
• Support: Utilise the Hub’s resources to streamline spending review bids, reduce duplication, and enhance the impact of data-sharing investments.

Conclusion

The DSIH represents a pivotal opportunity to strengthen the UK's data-sharing ecosystem, fostering innovation, economic growth, and public sector efficiency. The Catapults demonstrate that by providing a unified framework for secure and ethical data exchange, the DSIH will not only enhance productivity but also support the development of new technologies, improve public services, and drive economic resilience.

The DSIH's role in harmonising data-sharing practices across sectors will ensure that the UK remains competitive on the global stage, capitalising on data-driven opportunities to deliver tangible benefits for businesses, government, and society. Supporting this initiative will enable stakeholders to shape a future-ready, cohesive data-sharing infrastructure that underpins the UK's ambitions for digital transformation and sustained growth.

3 March 2025