The House of Lords made some amendments to the Data Use and Access Bill (DUAB), including to the definition of scientific research which is of great importance as the Bill would simplify the requirements for this type of data. The Lords made an amendment about research being in the public interest which government will seek to overturn. The government’s view is that expecting scientists to define the outcomes of their work in advance goes against the unpredictable nature of research.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) confirmed to PL&B on 21 February that the government is not planning changes to the “reasonableness test” on scientific research as it believes that this term is sufficiently robust to limit misuse of the term “scientific research’ while ensuring that genuine scientific research can be conducted. The test is intended to work in conjunction with ICO guidance, it said.