New Legislation Eases Data Sharing for Adult Social Care in England and Wales

In a significant move aimed at enhancing the efficiency of local governments, the UK government has introduced the Legislative Reform (Disclosure of Adult Social Care Data) Order 2025. This legislation, effective from 23rd July 2025, amends existing laws to facilitate the sharing of adult social care data between local authorities in England and Wales.

What’s Changing?

Previously, the sharing of adult social care data was restricted due to various legislative barriers, causing administrative burdens and financial inefficiencies for local authorities. The new Order amends parts of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004, allowing matched data from social care services to be disclosed to local authorities.

Key Highlights:

• Data Sharing Simplified: Local authorities can now access vital social care data more easily, helping them manage resources and services more effectively.

• Fraud and Error Reduction: By improving data access, the Order aims to assist local authorities in recovering funds lost through fraud and errors, potentially saving significant public money.

• Administrative Efficiency: The Order is designed to eliminate red tape, reducing the administrative hassle faced by local authorities when handling social care data.

Impact and Benefits:

The Order is expected to relieve financial pressures on local councils by streamlining data handling processes. A full impact assessment suggests that the changes will not only save money but also improve the responsiveness and quality of social care services offered to adults across England and Wales.

For those interested in the detailed implications of this legislation, further information and the complete impact assessment can be accessed through the government's official publication portal.

As this legislation rolls out, it marks a progressive step towards a more efficient local government structure, underlining the UK government's commitment to cutting unnecessary bureaucracy and enhancing public sector efficacy.