Explanatory note

Schedule 9 to the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 (c. 2) includes provision for the Secretary of State or the Minister for the Cabinet Office to carry out data matching exercises or to arrange for them to be done on his or her behalf. Paragraph 4 of Schedule 9 sets out the circumstances in which information (obtained for a data matching exercise and the result of any such exercise) may be disclosed by or on behalf of a Minister. The Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 applies to relevant authorities in England.

Section 64 of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004 (c. 23) includes provision for the Auditor General for Wales to conduct data matching exercises. The data matching functions of the Auditor General for Wales apply in or with respect to Wales. Section 64D sets out the circumstances in which information (obtained for a data matching exercise and the result of any such exercise) may be disclosed by or on behalf of the Auditor General for Wales.

This Order amends paragraph 4 of Schedule 9 to the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and section 64D of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004 so that matched adult social care data can be shared with local authorities in England and Wales.

The Order is made under the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 (c. 51) and removes burdens and administrative inconveniences on local authorities. The Order would reduce financial burdens on local authorities by assisting the recovery of money lost through fraud and error. The Order also eliminates an administrative inconvenience on local authorities.

A full impact assessment has been prepared in relation to this Order. A copy is available at http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/legislative-reform-disclosure-of-adult-social-care-data-order-2025. A hard copy can be obtained by writing to Cabinet Office, 70 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2AS.