Government plans to maximise public sector data
techUK are pleased to see that the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has provided an update on the National Data Library and announced the launch of five new projects that will test how public sector data can be better joined up to improve lives. We also encourage members to respond to the new survey on potential opportunities for public sector data use.
The National Data Library (NDL), which was announced as part of the January 2025 AI Opportunities Action Plan, is being established to unlock, secure, and share public sector data for AI research and development. As part of this initiative, the NDL set out to identify five high-impact public sector datasets that could be made available.
The new ‘kickstarter’ projects, which have been launched with the Government Digital Service and public sector bodies, will test how connecting public sector data across energy, social care, legal records and weather insights can deliver better services to tackle everyday challenges.
The projects include:
- Partnering with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) to deliver the new Get Adult Social Care Data service.
- Bringing together data from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) so those who need energy bill support.
- Exploring whether closer integration of services can reduce extensive health-related admin for disabled people and those with long term health conditions.
- Researchers testing how trusted Met Office data could be converted into formats suitable for AI tools and other technology.
- Exploring how streams of authoritative legal data from the National Archives could be made AI-ready to provide small and medium-sized businesses from cafes to shops with easy to access legal support.
To deliver on the Industrial Strategy’s ambition to recognise the power of data as the foundation of reformed public services and the problems AI can solve, in some of the projects, data held by public bodies is being explored to understand if AI can boost their effectiveness.
Supercomputing capacity
To support the acceleration of AI and innovation, the government is boosting the UK’s supercomputing power by investing a further £16 million in the AI Research Resource supercomputing capacity at the University of Cambridge, combined with a new National Compute Resource funded by UKRI. This will boost the compute resource at Cambridge, offering UK researchers, SMEs and start-ups access for the first time to advanced AMD hardware - extremely powerful computer chips which will enable them to train AI models and drive new scientific breakthroughs.
Creative Content Exchange
As part of their R&D Missions Accelerator Programme, the government has also announced a pilot scheme to get a new Creative Content Exchange going. This will be a marketplace to sell, buy, license and enable technology companies and AI developers access to digitised cultural and creative assets so they can be licenced at scale, while respecting the rights of creators and copyright owners. It will include testing a range of commercial licensing models, with the aim of launching the operational pilot platform by Summer 2026.
The pilot phase will involve leading cultural institutions including Historic England, Imperial War Museums, National Library of Scotland, Natural History Museum and more.
Opportunities for public sector data survey 2026
The Government Digital Service (GDS) would like to hear from businesses, researchers and public bodies about the public sector data needed to grow, innovate and deliver better services. Responses to the survey will directly influence which datasets should be prioritised and made available.
This is a chance to tell GDS:
- which existing public sector data would help your work
- what new data we should be capturing
- how we can make public sector data easier to find.
The survey takes around 15 minutes and responses will remain anonymous. The deadline for responses is 23:59 on 28 February 2026.
We look forwarding to hearing further announcements on the National Data Library.
To read the full press release, and find out more information on each of the projects, please click here.
Heather Cover-Kus
Heather Cover-Kus
Heather is Associate Director, Central Government and Education at techUK, working to represent the tech supplier community to Central Government.
She started as Head of Central Government at techUK in April 2022 and was promoted to Associate Director in August 2025 supporting both the Central Government and Education programmes.
Prior to joining techUK in April 2022, Heather worked in the Economic Policy and Small States Section at the Commonwealth Secretariat. She led the organisation’s FinTech programme and worked to create an enabling environment for developing countries to take advantage of the socio-economic benefits of FinTech.
Before moving to the UK, Heather worked at the Office of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas and the Central Bank of The Bahamas.
Heather holds a Graduate Diploma in Law from BPP, a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from LSE, and a BA in Economics and Sociology from Macalester College.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-cover-kus-ba636538
Ellie Huckle
Ellie Huckle
Ellie joined techUK in March 2018 as a Programme Assistant to the Public Sector team and now works as a Programme Manager for the Central Government Programme.
The programme represents the supplier community of technology products and services in Central Government – in summary working to make Government a more informed buyer, increasing supplier visibility in order to improve their chances of supplying to Government Departments, and fostering better engagement between the public sector and industry. To find out more about what we do, how we do this and how you can get involved – make sure to get in touch!
Prior to joining techUK, Ellie completed Sixth Form in June 2015 and went on to work in Waitrose, moved on swiftly to walking dogs and finally, got an office job working for a small local business in North London, where she lives with her family and their two Bengal cats Kai and Nova.
When she isn’t working Ellie likes to spend time with her family and friends, her cats, and enjoys volunteering for diabetes charities. She has a keen interest in writing, escaping with a good book and expanding her knowledge watching far too many quiz shows!
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2015
- Twitter:
- @techUK,@techUK
- Website:
- www.techuk.org,www.techuk.org
- LinkedIn:
- https://bit.ly/3mtQ7Jx,https://bit.ly/3mtQ7Jx
Charles Bauman
Charles Bauman
Charles Bauman is a Junior Programme Manager in the Central Government Programme at techUK.
He supports the programme’s mission to represent the technology supplier community to the UK government and advocate for digital innovation to address public sector challenges. Charles helps facilitate market engagement, foster partnerships, and ensure that tech suppliers and the government work collaboratively to improve outcomes, deliver value for money, and enhance public services for citizens.
Before joining techUK, Charles gained significant experience in research, analysis, and strategic advisory roles. At H/Advisors Cicero, he specialised in public affairs and corporate communications, while at Verdantix, he supported sustainability research and advisory projects, focusing on regulatory and environmental challenges.
Charles holds an MSc in Theory and History of International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and an MA in Medieval History from King’s College London.
Charles enjoys volunteering with a think tank, reading, hiking, and spending time with his dog and family outside of work.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Website:
- www.techuk.org
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-bauman-75712016b/
techUK - Seizing the AI Opportunity
techUK supports the UK's AI revolution, empowering both public and private sectors to fully embrace the transformative potential of AI.
We bring together the vendor and buyer communities, showcasing the benefits of private sector AI adoption and the opportunities of AI-powered public services. Our aim is to unleash the vast potential of AI to create opportunities for businesses and society, so everyone can reap the benefits of this technological opportunity..
Get involved: techUK runs a busy calendar of activities including events, reports, and insights to demonstrate some of the most significant AI opportunities for the UK. Our AI Hub is where you will find details of all upcoming activity. We also send a monthly AI newsletter which you can subscribe to here.
Upcoming AI events
Latest news and insights
Subscribe to our AI newsletter
AI and Data Analytics updates
Sign-up to our monthly newsletter to get the latest updates and opportunities from our AI and Data Analytics Programme straight to your inbox.
Contact the team
Usman Ikhlaq
Usman Ikhlaq
Usman joined techUK in January 2024 as Programme Manager for Artificial Intelligence.
He leads techUK’s AI Adoption programme, supporting members of all sizes and sectors in adopting AI at scale. His work involves identifying barriers to adoption, exploring solutions, and helping to unlock AI’s transformative potential, particularly its benefits for people, the economy, society, and the planet. He is also committed to advancing the UK’s AI sector and ensuring the UK remains a global leader in AI by working closely with techUK members, the UK Government, regulators, and devolved and local authorities.
Since joining techUK, Usman has delivered a regular drumbeat of activity to engage members and advance techUK's AI programme. This has included two campaign weeks, the creation of the AI Adoption Hub (now the AI Hub), the AI Leader's Event Series, the Putting AI into Action webinar series and the Industrial AI sprint campaign.
Before joining techUK, Usman worked as a policy, regulatory and government/public affairs professional in the advertising sector. He has also worked in sales, marketing, and FinTech.
Usman holds an MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), a GDL and LLB from BPP Law School, and a BA from Queen Mary University of London.
When he isn’t working, Usman enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He also has a keen interest in running, reading and travelling.
Visit our AI Hub - the home of all our AI content:
