On 26 March 2026, the Department for Business and Trade issued a Policy Paper ‘Smart Data 2035 – The UK’s Smart Data Strategy’.
Under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, the government now has powers to require firms to participate in smart data schemes. The Policy Paper sets out the Government’s vision for smart data in 2035 and then explains the steps it will take to achieve it between now and March 2029, including investment of at least £36 million. The Policy Paper is not a formal consultation. However, it closes with a list of themes on which the Government welcomes stakeholder input.
The Government is setting the target of five or more active schemes by 2030 and 20 or more by 2035, supported by actions including:
- Smart data in sectors: The Policy Paper sets out Government’s next steps in: banking (payments), financial services, road fuels, energy, property, retail, digital markets, transport, telecommunications, and agrifood. These sector priorities align with the UK’s Industrial Strategy, ensuring smart data initiatives directly support the growth driving sectors identified for national growth and innovation. Next steps will include funding for industry-led smart data pilots.
- Join-up between sectors: The Government will drive best practice and cross-economy interoperability by publishing the Smart Data Guidebook by early 2027, having refreshed the Smart Data Council to advise on the delivery of the guidebook and wider strategy, and will carry out a future consultation on long term institutional arrangements (including centralised functions) for smart data governance.
- Wider links: Working across different Government departments and alongside other data initiatives as well as with relevant regulators the Government is developing plans for how smart data can support trade digitisation and how it can drive growth through greater international collaboration on smart data.