The DRCF’s 2025/26 Workplan: An Overview

The Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF) has published its 2025/26 Workplan, outlining how they plan to coordinate regulators their and their activities to support innovation, economic growth, and consumer protection. This overview summarises the key priorities and initiatives relevant to stakeholders in the tech sector. 

You can read the full DRCF Workplan on their website, found here

This comes as techUK recently publishes a report on pro-growth regulation, which includes recommendations across regulatory areas covered in the DRCF workplan. The report aims to support the development of a regulatory environment that supports economic growth, fosters innovation while remaining proportionate and predictable. You can read the report here.  

1. Strategic Context and Goals 

DRCF brings together four regulators: CMA, Ofcom, ICO, and FCA. Its work is guided by a three-year vision (2024–27) comprising five pillars: 
  • Protecting and empowering people online 
  • Unlocking digital innovation and growth 
  • Supporting regulator effectiveness 
  • Leading domestic and international digital regulation 
  • Anticipating future developments 

This year’s plan aligns with broader government strategies including the AI Opportunities Action Plan, Smart Data legislation (DUA Bill), the new digital markets competition regime, and the Online Safety Act. 

2. Key Workstreams for 2025/26 

A. Unlocking Innovation and Economic Growth 
  • AI & Innovation Services: Expansion of the AI and Digital Hub pilot; ICO to support FCA's AI Lab. 
  • Digital Identity: Symposium with OfDIA and stakeholders to address trust, interoperability, and adoption. 
  • Smart Data: Cross-regulatory work on open finance, data rights, and a broader review of the data-led economy. 
  • Horizon Scanning: Research on agentic AI systems, cybersecurity (linked to new legislation), and the implications of emerging tech. 
  • Data Protection and Competition: ICO and CMA cooperation to align privacy and competition in digital ad markets, as well as joint focus on foundation models and cloud. 
  • Digital Markets Regime: Ongoing coordination on new CMA investigations into Apple and Google, with cross-regulator input. 
B. Protecting People Online 
  • Online Choice Architecture: Joint action to tackle manipulative designs and dark patterns; developing user empowerment tools. 
  • Fraud and Scams: Joint initiatives to clarify data sharing for fraud prevention; input into Ofcom’s Fraudulent Advertising Code. 
  • Online Safety & Data Protection: Third joint ICO-Ofcom statement in Autumn; coordination on risks to children and privacy. 
  • Financial Services & Data: ICO and FCA joint engagement on consumer duty and AI challenges in retail financial services. 
C. Regulator Capability Building 
  • AI & Digital Solutions: Shared best practices in regulatory technologies to improve efficiency and reduce compliance burden. 
  • Skills and Capabilities: New digital mentoring programme with UKRN; AI webinars; academic fellows to strengthen research. 
  • Information Sharing: Review of legal and operational frameworks to enable efficient cross-regulator data sharing. 
D. Engagement 
  • Regulators: The DRCF will host a quarterly regulator roundtable, bringing together 13 non-member regulatory bodies to share expertise and best practice. 
  • UK Industry & Civil Society: They plan to take part regularly in events, roundtables, and conversations across a range of industry and civil society  
  • International: They plan on engaging with international regulators and partners to promote benefits of cross-regulatory cooperation, such as through the International Network for Digital Regulation Cooperation (INDRC) 

Implications for the Tech Sector 

The 2025/26 DRCF Workplan outlines a positive programme of work to improve the regulatory environment in which the tech sector operates. Businesses will note the increasing focus on coordinated oversight of emerging technologies, particularly AI, Smart Data, and digital identity. 

For companies developing innovative products and services, the DRCF’s work may offer improved clarity on how existing and forthcoming rules interact. The emphasis on cross-regulator collaboration could help reduce duplication and ease the regulatory burden in some areas. However, this depends on how effectively coordination is implemented in practice. We recommend businesses should monitor these efforts closely, particularly where engagement opportunities arise through pilots, roundtables, and symposia. 

While industry welcomes greater transparency and dialogue with regulators, it remains essential that this work supports innovation without creating unnecessary complexity or delays. Initiatives such as the AI and Digital Hub are a positive step, but wider regulatory coherence and consistency will be key to providing the certainty needed for long-term investment. 

The DRCF’s growing international activity may also be of interest to tech companies operating across borders. Engagement with global counterparts could support a more aligned regulatory landscape. 

Stakeholders are encouraged to stay engaged with DRCF activities and continue providing input on how regulation can best support responsible innovation and competitiveness in the UK tech sector. 


Oliver Alderson

Oliver Alderson

Junior Policy Manager, techUK

Oliver is a Junior Policy Manager at techUK, working across Public Affairs and Digital Regulation policy. He supports the organisation’s engagement with government and parliament, contributes to shaping techUK’s regulatory agenda, and plays a key role in coordinating political outreach, policy projects, and flagship events.

He joined techUK in November 2023 as a Team Assistant to the Policy and Public Affairs team, before stepping into his current role. He has been closely involved in efforts to ensure the tech sector’s voice is heard in the policymaking process.

Oliver holds a Master’s in Policy Research from the University of Bristol and a BSc in Policy from Swansea University. During his studies, he contributed to mental health research as a Student Research Assistant for the SMaRteN network.

Outside of work, Oliver is a keen debater and remains active in the UK debating community, having previously led the Swansea University Debating Union. He enjoys exploring complex issues from multiple perspectives and values clear, thoughtful communication in policy discussions.

Email:
oliver.alderson@techuk.org
Phone:
07505 890 596
LinkedIn:
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/oliver-alderson-a51312180

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Samiah Anderson

Samiah Anderson

Head of Digital Regulation, techUK

Samiah Anderson is the Head of Digital Regulation at techUK.

With over six years of Government Affairs expertise, Samiah has built a solid reputation as a tech policy specialist, engaging regularly with UK Government Ministers, senior civil servants and UK Parliamentarians.

Before joining techUK, Samiah led several public affairs functions for international tech firms and coalitions at Burson Global (formerly Hill & Knowlton), delivering CEO-level strategic counsel on political, legislative, and regulatory issues in the UK, EU, US, China, India, and Japan. She is adept at mobilising multinational companies and industry associations, focusing on cross-cutting digital regulatory issues such as competition, artificial intelligence, and more.

She holds a BA (Hons) in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from the University of London, where she founded the New School Economics Society, the Goldsmiths University chapter of Rethinking Economics.

Email:
Samiah.Anderson@techUK.org
Website:
www.techuk.org
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/samiahnanderson/

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Antony Walker

Antony Walker

Deputy CEO, techUK

Alice Campbell

Alice Campbell

Head of Public Affairs, techUK

Edward Emerson

Edward Emerson

Head of Digital Economy, techUK

Samiah Anderson

Samiah Anderson

Head of Digital Regulation, techUK

Audre Verseckaite

Audre Verseckaite

Senior Policy Manager, Data & AI, techUK

Mia Haffety

Mia Haffety

Policy Manager - Digital Economy, techUK

Archie Breare

Archie Breare

Policy Manager - Skills & Digital Economy, techUK

Daniella Bennett Remington

Daniella Bennett Remington

Policy Manager - Digital Regulation, techUK

Oliver Alderson

Oliver Alderson

Junior Policy Manager, techUK

Tess Newton

Team Assistant, Policy and Public Affairs, techUK