Data Handling Procedures in Government: Interim Progress Report

[Peter Tomlinson]

David Biggins wrote:
>
> _http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/reports/data_handling.aspx_
>
> Data Handling Procedures in Government: Interim Progress Report made 
> by Robert Hannigan Head of Security, Intelligence and Resilience and 
> associated Written Ministerial Statement.
>
> ...
> The report is not a consultation document, however, if interested 
> parties wish to provide material to the review team they can do so by 
> emailing _datareview@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk_ 
> <mailto:datareview@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk>.
>
> Dave.
>
I'm not convinced. It was not until I reached clause 40 (of 47) that I 
found anything remotely connected with ensuring that staff at all levels 
are appointed on the basis of capability and trained appropriately and 
subject to proper appraisal. And nothing about formal quality management 
at all. I'm well aware of Cabinet Office policy in this area being 
ignored, and doubt that things will get much better until the ICO has 
both the teeth and the resources to police this area.

I have myself recently taken DfT to task on misleading advice to LAs on 
the handling of personal data. Thankfully, eventually the ICO made them 
withdraw it and tell the LAs the real way to do things: a duty of care 
in the situation where the DfT's clients are mostly not adequately 
expert. As for the advisers paid out of tax monies, words fail me...

The really annoying thing is that I'm convinced that the intention at 
the top is for service delivery to be done properly.

Peter