Data (Use and Access) Bill Report Stage: New Clause 1

Parliament voted on New Clause 1 to the Data (Use and Access) Bill during its Report Stage on 7 May 2025. The clause sought to add provisions strengthening citizen rights and oversight mechanisms in the government's data sharing arrangements. The motion was defeated by 295 votes to 76, with the government's position prevailing.

The vote concerned whether additional safeguards and governance requirements should be written into the Bill to protect citizens whose data is shared between public bodies and other organisations. Those supporting the new clause argued it would give individuals greater rights and transparency over how their personal data is used. The government and its supporters argued that such requirements would add bureaucratic constraints likely to hamper the efficient delivery of public services underpinned by data sharing.

The Liberal Democrats provided the backbone of the Aye vote, with 56 of their MPs voting in favour, alongside 6 SNP members, 4 Plaid Cymru members, 6 independents, 2 Reform UK members, 2 Greens, 1 Democratic Unionist and 1 SDLP member. Labour voted unanimously against, with all 268 Labour MPs who voted recorded in the No lobby, joined by 26 Labour and Co-operative MPs. There were no notable cross-party rebels from within Labour's ranks. The division sits within a broader legislative contest over the Bill, with subsequent votes in May and June 2025 showing continued disagreement between the Commons and the House of Lords over data protection and welfare-related amendments, suggesting the Bill's passage remained contested well beyond this stage.