Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what are the current work streams of the Mayoral Data Council.

The Mayoral Data Council (MDC) brings together senior data leaders from Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs) to improve how data is used, shared and developed across all layers of government. It provides a collective voice for MSAs on national data issues, helping to shape central government policy while reflecting local priorities The Council focuses on 3 key areas:

• building capability and sharing best practice
• influencing cross-government data strategy
• improving data sharing across organisational boundaries

The Council is chaired by Katherine Fairclough, Chief Executive of the Liverpool City Region. In 2025-2026 the MDC workstreams are focused on:

• Knowledge exchange: Sharing reusable tools and examples to help MSAs build confidence with data and AI and developing a framework for data and AI maturity.
• Representing local priorities: providing regional views and inputs into national initiatives, for example the 2026 Devolution White Paper,
• Making data sharing easier and safer across all layers of government: focusing specifically on data on young people Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEETs).