A new data bill has been introduced to parliament.
The Data Use and Access Bill aims to harness the power of data to boost the UK economy by £10 billion, and free up millions of police and NHS staff hours.
The Bill is designed to unlock the secure and effective use of data for the public interest, without adding pressures to the country’s finances.
It will also help to deliver three of the government's five missions: kickstarting economic growth; taking back our streets; and building an NHS fit for the future.
Measures in the Bill include cutting down on bureaucracy for police officers, and making patients’ data easily transferable across the NHS so that frontline staff can make better informed decisions for patients more quickly.
It is hoped the Bill will lead to the simplification of important tasks such as renting a flat and starting work with trusted ways to verify your identity online, or enabling electronic registration of births and deaths.
The government pointed out that safeguards will be in place to track and monitor how personal data is used, giving peace of mind to patients and victims of crime.
The Bill has three core objectives: growing the economy, improving UK public services, and making people’s lives easier.
The newly introduced measures will be underpinned by a revamped Information Commissioner’s Office.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: "Data is the DNA of modern life and quietly drives every aspect of our society and economy without us even noticing – from our NHS treatments and social interactions to our business and banking transactions.
"It has the enormous potential to make our lives better, boosting our National Health Service, cutting costs when we shop, and saving us valuable time.
"With laws that help us to use data securely and effectively, this Bill will help us boost the UK’s economy, free up vital time for our front-line workers, and relieve people from unnecessary admin so that they can get on with their lives."
Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting said: "The NHS is broken, but imagine its enormous potential if each part of the system communicated properly with each other.
"That starts with sharing vital medical records between healthcare providers, because it shouldn’t be the patient’s responsibility to join the dots for their doctor.
"How can a GP diagnose a problem without knowing about someone’s recent hospital surgery?
"This Bill and our Ten Year Health Plan will ensure important data flows safely and securely through the NHS, freeing up staff time and speeding up patient care."
"I know people worry about Big Brother, which is why data will only be shared to the most relevant staff and anybody using data must comply with strict security protocols."
Minister for crime, policing and fire, Dame Diana Johnson said: "It is vital police officers are able to dedicate their time to protecting the public on the beat, not in the office.
"Freeing up this valuable resource will see more officers out on our streets, making a real difference in fighting and solving crime."
"As part of our mission to make streets safer, this government will bring back neighbourhood policing, ensuring thousands of additional police and community officers are out patrolling our towns and communities."
