Government’s underused tool: Unlocking the potential of linked data

In this blog, Callum Barnes, External Communications Manager at the Office for National Statistics (ONS), provides an update on the Integrated Data Service (IDS). The IDS is a cross-government initiative which provides secure access to underused linked data, unlocking new insights.

About the IDS  

For over 20 years, the ONS has managed the Secure Research Service (SRS). This is a globally recognised trusted research environment (TRE), which enables authorised researchers and analysts to access data in a secure way.  

Building on the success of the SRS, we are developing the IDS – an innovative, cloud-based TRE, designed in collaboration with partners across UK and devolved government, and the external research community.

This ambitious cross-government platform, led by the ONS, provides access to improved data, analytical and visualisation tools, in a secure multi-cloud infrastructure. It gives researchers the ability to work together – producing analysis that can address major societal challenges at pace.  

Explore IDS datasets  

Developing the IDS has not been easy. Bringing personal data together from across government in a safe and secure way is challenging and difficult to achieve.  It also takes time.  

It’s pleasing then to be able to share that the IDS now securely holds 123 rich and compelling datasets, with more on the way.  

A new Web Based Data Catalogue listing out the 123 datasets can also be found on the official IDS website.  Users can browse the diversity of datasets available, their themes, and the period they cover.  

To name just one example: in collaboration with HM Revenue & Customs, the Pay As You Earn Real Time Information dataset is now available in the IDS. This offers payment information for the majority of the UK’s working population, containing more than 30 million de-identified records per month. It will be a go-to dataset for research into employment, earnings, and the economy.  

Explore IDS projects  

The IDS is proud to host many exciting live projects – on themes such as health, crime and the economy. Sitting alongside the data catalogue, we have recently published a list of live and completed IDS research projects on the IDS website. This first iteration includes the project title, lead organisation, and the datasets being used.

This list will be updated regularly, specifically to ensure we add new projects as they are onboarded. So check back often to see the innovative work being undertaken in the platform.  

Supporting users   

The Research Accreditation Service (RAS) allows researchers to apply for accreditation. It has served users of both the IDS and SRS for over five years.  

From April 2025 the third-party supplier of the RAS will no longer provide this service. Therefore, ONS is developing new solutions to support the research journey. 

The Project Accreditation Service (PASS) and People & Projects Service (PPS) will provide a new route for all project applications and researcher accreditations.  

In preparation for the switch to the new services, there will be a brief period where RAS is closed, in order to migrate RAS data to both services. This means that if you’d like to access the IDS or SRS, then please submit your application before Friday 4 April.  

Email us at IDS.Customer.Support@ons.gov.uk  with any questions.

The future of the Secure Research Service 

The IDS and the SRS are running in parallel to serve different user requirements, with both welcoming applications for new projects.

With over a thousand active users and 100+ datasets, this long running service is also ready to help researchers with their innovative projects.  

If you would like to access the SRS, you can find out more on the ONS website.