Cross-departmental government data sharing improves, as private sector collaboration falls short

New survey findings show a solid commitment to data sharing across government departments, while public-private sector collaboration lags behind

A growing number of civil servants are sharing data with other departments to deliver better services, though collaboration with the private sector remains low, a new survey by global leader in data and AI, SAS, has revealed.

Nearly three-quarters of civil servants (74%) now share data with other departments, up from 69% two years ago, as many turn to data sharing to make more informed decisions and enhance service delivery for citizens.

However, in spite of progress, only 34% of civil servants report collaborating with the private sector, highlighting the need for greater public-private sector collaboration to unlock innovation and operational gains.

SAS’ latest research report, Data & AI in the UK government: Overcoming barriers and realising potential, was carried out in partnership with Civil Service World’s sister organisation, Total Research. It follows on from similar research in 2022, surveying 170 officials from across government about the current state of digital transformation.

Exploring changing priorities within government, the findings show a strategic pivot towards promoting a data-sharing culture across departments, based on respondents’ answers:

• There is a growing emphasis on simplifying the data-sharing process, which has risen from 37% in 2022 to 42% in 2024.
• Similarly, there is an appetite to change the culture around data sharing, increasing from 35% to 40%.
• Preventing fraud, error, and waste is a significant driver for sharing data, cited by over a third (39%) of civil servants.
• Enhancing service delivery is a top priority in government, and data sharing enables this goal, as 60% of civil servants cite "delivering better services to citizens" as a primary outcome of sharing data.

Caroline Payne, Data & Analytics Director, Public Sector at SAS, commented:

“The recent rise in cross-government data sharing signals a promising shift towards a more cohesive public sector. This progress is critical to building a culture where information flows seamlessly, enabling data-driven decisions that enhance public services and boost citizen satisfaction.

“However, a considerable gap persists in collaboration with the private sector - a significant opportunity for the government to tap into industry expertise, innovation, and technology, which could fundamentally transform public service delivery.

“To bridge this gap, we need a concerted effort to foster a culture of collaboration. This includes raising awareness among civil servants about the benefits and opportunities of data sharing and actively encouraging partnerships that can lead to transformative outcomes. Through this, we can unlock new possibilities to design and deliver better services for citizens.”

To view the full findings, read Data & AI in the UK government: Overcoming barriers and realising potential.