Data (Use and Access) Bill returns to the Lords

The aim of the Data (Use and Access) Bill is to harness the power of data for economic growth, support a modern digital government, and improve people’s lives.

Consideration of amendments

The bill was considered by the House of Lords between 23 October 2024 and 5 February 2025 before passing to the House of Commons.

Members of the Lords first considered changes made by MPs in the Commons on Monday 12 May, in a process known as parliamentary 'ping pong'. A series of alternative amendments were agreed.

The Commons rejected these amendments and so a second round of ping pong now takes place in the Lords on Monday 19 May.

Subjects under consideration (PDF) include:

• transparency in business data for AI models
• definition of 'sex data' for collection purposes
• definition of 'scientific research' for processing purposes.

How to follow

• Watch live on Parliament TV from 3.15pm.
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript (available from three hours after the debate).

Explore further information

Find out more about the bill in the House of Lords Library briefing.

What's happened so far?

Consideration of amendments day one: Monday 12 May

Members considered changes (PDF) made to the bill by MPs in the Commons on the first day of parliamentary 'ping pong' in the House of Lords.

Lords votes

There were four divisions (votes) on proposed changes to the bill.

These votes were on alternative amendments to previous changes to the bill. Topics included:

• How "sex data" is defined when collected by public authorities (two divisions)
• Definition of "scientific research" and processing personal data for that purpose 
• Transparency of business data used in relation to AI models.

Members voted to make the four amendments to the bill and send it back to the Commons to consider again.

Catch up

• Watch the Parliament TV recording.
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript.

Third reading

Third reading, a chance for members to 'tidy up' the text of the bill, took place on Wednesday 5 February.

Report stage

Report stage, a further chance to closely scrutinise elements of the bill and make changes, took place on Tuesday 21 and Tuesday 28 January.

Committee stage

Committee stage, line-by-line examination of the bill, concluded on Wednesday 18 December.

Second reading

Second reading, the main debate on the key principles and main purpose of the draft law, took place on Tuesday 19 November.

Image: Pixabay (Gerd Altmann)