DMA Hosts Virtual Roundtable with DCMS on UK Government National Data Strategy

On Tuesday 24 November, the DMA hosted a virtual roundtable on the UK Government's proposals for a National Data Strategy, which are currently out for consultation.

The DMA has been working closely with the UK Government on the proposals, taking part in initial steering groups hosted by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the Minister for Data, and inputting policy advice and evidence during the creation of the consultation proposals

The roundtable brought together senior industry figures from the data and marketing industry with UK Government DCMS leads.

Head of the National Data Strategy, Gaia Marcus, began the roundtable presenting the government's proposals, which then revolved around three areas of discussion:

1. Data and trust
   learnings from business and academia: how can we restore trust with consumers/citizens and encourage more engagement with the data economy
2. Data economy and growth
   From trust, to data portability, data standardisation, frameworks for AI and machine learning and beyond: how the NDS can set rules to increase access to the data economy and boost economic growth?
3. Workforce for the future
   Where are the skills gaps in the industry and how can the industry offer re-skilling to the wider workforce?

The discussion covered a wide range of issues, including how government can set effective rules for regulating how data is created and regulated; how data inclusion must be central as a tool to beating poverty; how the strategy should promote data jobs to those currently in different careers or with different expertise; how government and industry investment in data tools can give exponential economic return; and much more.

The roundtable discussion will be used to inform the DMA's response to the UK Government's consultation, which closes on December 2.

If any DMA members would like to submit evidence, contact michael.sturrock@dma.org.uk in the policy and public affairs team.