Policy responsibility for data protection switched from MoJ to DCMS

Policy responsibility for data protection – and therefore sponsorship of the Information Commissioner’s Office – has been moved from the Ministry of Justice to the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS).

In a written ministerial statement the Prime Minister said responsibility for government records management policy would meanwhile transfer from the Ministry of Justice to the Cabinet Office.

These changes were effective from 17 September.

The Lord Chancellor's responsibilities under the Public Records Act 1958 and associated legislation will be transferred as necessary to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

Responding to the announcement, Christopher Graham, Information Commissioner, said: “As the independent arbiter for information rights, we have business with different Whitehall departments on different topics. It is important that the ICO remains free to advise and to warn as necessary - and to bring both the privacy and transparency perspectives to policymaking in key areas. And we need always to be able to speak up for citizens and consumers.

“It makes sense for the ICO to be well connected to debates around the impact and potential of the digital economy - but at the same time we need independence to do our job. DCMS has responsibility for digital issues, but also deals with very many arm's-length bodies whose independence is key to their contribution. The current sponsorship and DP policy teams working at the MoJ will be transferred to the DCMS. This gives me added confidence that the DCMS will be well prepared to cope with the demanding agenda ahead.”