Written question asked by Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative) on Friday, 10 October 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 October 2025. It was answered by Kate Dearden (Labour) on Monday, 20 October 2025 on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade.

Industry: Data Protection

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what progress he has made on extending smart data initiatives into relevant industrial strategy sectors.

Answer: The Industrial Strategy committed £36 million to advance Smart Data across the economy, including in growth-driving sectors. The Department for Business and Trade’s forthcoming Smart Data strategy will outline how this investment will be used to support scheme development in priority sectors. Work is progressing at pace - the Financial Conduct Authority has launched a Smart Data Accelerator for Open Finance; the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is developing proposals for an energy scheme; and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has undertaken a call for evidence on Smart Data in digital markets.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 79162
Session: 2024-26
Related items: The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy
Monday, 23 June 2025
Command papers
House of Commons
House of Lords
Subjects: Data protection Industry
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk