Data standards and transparency

As part of the better use of data programme, the LGA is working to support local government to recognise the full value of data and make good use of it for decision-making and efficient service delivery. A key part of this involves promoting the benefits of data standards, transparency and data sharing as well as providing tools and guidance, and supporting key initiatives.

Data standards initiatives

Data standards are key to ensuring data quality. Implementing data standards is a key enabler for data sharing and linking across systems, which allows for more efficient services and greater insight about the characteristics and needs of residents.

The LGA is involved with driving forward several data standards initiatives:

• Open referral UK (ORUK): this is a standardised way of maintaining information about services to populate service directories. Adopting ORUK enables councils to maintain their service directories in a much more efficient manner, saving money and staff time, whilst also providing better quality information to residents about the services that are available to them.
• Unique Property Reference Numbers (UPRNs): UPRNs – which are freely available to all councils – are the unique identifier for every addressable location. They are critical for local authorities in creating better outcomes for people and communities. Their use can drive significant cost savings through increased efficiency, enhanced communication, digital transformation and joined up service delivery. Similarly, Unique Street Reference Numbers (USRNs) should be used for identifying highways.
• SAVVI (Scalable Approach to Vulnerability via Interoperability): this important initiative is working to support the local public sector to bring existing data together from different sources and organisations, to improve early identification and smarter interventions for vulnerable people. This is particularly useful in the many cases where no single organisation has access to all the data that can predict who may be at risk, for example in the case of quickly identifying who may need priority help in the event of a flood or identifying those at risk of child poverty.
• Local government business model: since 2002 the LGA has facilitated the development and upkeep of this collection of standard lists which give a consistent way of describing the components of local government (including, for example, service and function lists). These terms can be used to make data consistent with data coming from other sources. This is part of a range of data publishing standards, schemas and practical search and publishing tools that are available on the LG Inform Plus open data pages.

Data sharing

We have published a document outlining the principles and key points to consider when data is being shared between councils as part of the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) business case process.

Transparency code for local government

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published a Transparency Code in 2014 (revised in 2015 and again in 2025) that sets out mandated data sets that local authorities are required to publish openly. The LGA offers guidance on meeting the requirements of the code.

Information Governance Knowledge Hub group

The Knowledge Hub is a free online platform used extensively by the LGA to allow groups of officers from across local government to come together in online groups. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Local Government group is a space for officers with an interest in data protection and information governance to ask questions and share advice and good practice.

Wider engagement

The LGA is actively engaging with central government to ensure that local government is properly represented in conversations and initiatives and around data standards, transparency and data sharing.

Read our recent responses to government consultations and our parliamentary briefings.