More data scientists needed in local government, Nesta says

The innovation agency Nesta is calling on the Government Digital Service to ring-fence £4 million of its £450m annual budget to embed data scientists in local councils.

According to Nesta, although local councils are increasingly sophisticated in how they gather, manage and use data, more data analysts and scientists should be hired to improve day-to-day services such as recycling and council tax collection.

Tom Symons, principal researcher on government innovation at Nesta, said that councils were “sitting on a treasure trove” of potential insights into the communities in which they operate.