School of Social and Political Science

Research project

Data Benefits

Research team

Overview

This project provides insights into the current state of data sharing for the administration and evaluation of benefit schemes in Scotland and public attitudes of communities towards the sharing of their data. The research was produced in collaboration with the independent Minimum Income Guarantee Expert Group, who are working with the Scottish Government to consider steps towards delivering a Minimum Income Guarantee in Scotland.  

The study aimed to: 

  1. explore current and potential data sharing activities for the administration and evaluation of benefits schemes in Scotland 
  2. gather attitudes of those in receipt of benefits towards data sharing for the administration of benefits and for academic research  

To answer the first question, we carried out interviews with eight stakeholders from Scottish Government’s Minimum Income Guarantee Expert Group, academia, and third sector. For the second question we ran seven focus groups at community centres in Edinburgh, speaking to 41 individuals in receipt of benefits.

During the focus groups, participants discussed four data sharing scenarios that were co-produced with our stakeholders. These scenarios described actual and possible future cases of data sharing for the public good:

  1. eligibility checks for the Scottish Child Payment
    Scenario 1 PDF download
  2. invite to Local Authority benefits
    Scenario 2 PDF download
  3. automatic pausing of benefits
    Scenario 3 PDF download
  4. Social Security Scotland sharing data for research purposes
    Scenario 4 PDF download

This work builds on the ‘Automating Universal Credit’ project. 

 

Project Report

Our findings are published in a report, Data Benefits: A study on social security data sharing in Scotland.

In our report, we discuss how, across all our focus groups, people strongly distrusted government agencies and their ability to keep their data safe. These attitudes were often based in personal experiences of data misuse by the government or commercial companies, and media coverage of data breaches or other scandals, such as the Horizon Post Office debacle.  

Despite these negative attitudes, participants identified some advantages of data sharing when we discussed the four data sharing scenarios, such as making receiving benefits easier and facilitating academic research on health and structural poverty. Even so, participants had several reservations about the scenarios – they were concerned about inaccurate data, a lack of choice or consent around what happens to personal data, lack of official communication on how their data would be used, and agencies sharing more information about them than was strictly necessary.  

Our recommendations to social security agencies are based on this input from participants:

  • Seek further input from benefit recipients into the potential benefits and harms of data sharing and in the design and development of data sharing systems
  • Ensure public transparency and clear communication about sharing of personal data, including a public register of data sharing agreements
  • Increase training on and public communication about ethical data sharing practice 
  • Maintain options for face-to-face service and manual applications, including clear options to opt-out of automatic enrolment

  • Have clearer accountability processes for the sharing of data for research purposes to allow the timely access of data for approved research

     

Reporting back: Community Discussion Events

The final stage of the project entailed two free, interactive events at community centres in Edinburgh as part of the ESRC’s Festival of Social Science. These events ran on 24th October 2024 at the Moredun Library and 7th November 2024 at the West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, both in Edinburgh.

The events sought views from members of the community about the research findings, which we presented as six guidelines we distilled from the focus groups and shared in printed handouts.

Download our printed handout PNG

We commissioned artist Jenny Capon to attend the events and create live drawings of people’s thoughts, which largely corresponded to discussions in our focus groups.

Speech bubbles containing different statements. How do you feel about Government collecting data? I think it makes sense...but need to build up trust. If you don't give consent you're not part of the process. You're not considered. "We don't know anything about you" I bet you do! They're not forthcoming if you might be entitled to another benefit. Are you entitled to a benefit? Having options that aren't electronic is good. Not everyone is digitally literate. Can't easily distinguish between agencies. You don't know who to trust. You can't see how they are all seperate.

Download this image

Can sharing data improve public services? How do you feel about this? Notes from two community conversations Edinburgh November 2024. Sharing of Social Security data should only happen if these six criteria are met. What do you think of these guidelines? With us not to us. If you don't give consent you're not considered. You're not part of the process. It is important it is informed consent. It will improve people's lives or prevent harm to them.

Download the full image

Related Outputs

Blog post: Public attitudes on data sharing: ‘With us, not to us’

 

Research themes

  • Data & Digital
  • Social Studies of Information and Communication Technologies

Related events

Please check back for details of upcoming events.