Part of Data (Use and Access) Bill [Lords] – in the House of Commons at 6:51 pm on 7 May 2025.
Peter Kyle
The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
6:51,
7 May 2025
I am afraid that in the time I have, I cannot give way. I want to do the Opposition spokesperson, Alan Mak, the courtesy of allowing him to have his say in the remaining couple of minutes.
The Bill will give working people across our country a stronger economy, better public services, and more time to do the things they like with the people they love. I look forward to working with people, including hon. Members from across the House, to resolve as quickly as possible any outstanding issues that may arise after the Bill passes. The version of the Bill that is before us today is its third substantive iteration. It follows two failed attempts by the previous Government, the first of which started back in July 2022. It is time that we got this done; for far too long, our citizens and businesses have paid the price of the failure to deliver data reform, and we cannot expect them to put up with it any longer. Today, we have an opportunity to finally get it right. The Bill that is before us today will remove the brakes that are holding back our country.
To allow another Member to speak.
The Opposition are the political parties in the House of Commons other than the largest or Government party. They are called the Opposition because they sit on the benches opposite the Government in the House of Commons Chamber. The largest of the Opposition parties is known as Her Majesty's Opposition. The role of the Official Opposition is to question and scrutinise the work of Government. The Opposition often votes against the Government. In a sense the Official Opposition is the "Government in waiting".