The Single Data List of central government data requirements from local government

The Single Data List (SDL) is a list of all the datasets that local government must submit to central government. It aims to create transparency, eliminate duplication, and minimise data reporting burdens on local government. The SDL is not a database of the data collected, nor a list of the publications which draw on the data collected.

Central government requests for local authorities to collect and report data need to be on the Single Data List. 

If the dataset is not on the list, local authorities are not obliged to provide the requested data.

If it’s a new burden, central government needs to ensure local government is funded for this burden through the New Burdens Doctrine.

New datasets, or changes to the SDL must be jointly agreed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Local Government Association (LGA) via the SDL process, ending in sign-off from the SDL Gateway Group.

The SDL Gateway Group requires the advice of more specialist local authority groups, such as the Central Local Information Partnerships (CLIP) sub-groups, who understand the relevant data collection. 

The SDL is reviewed and updated annually.

Many - but not all - of these data collections will result in published extracts of statistics at a local authority level.

A landing page with explanations to the collection is available here: Single Data List - GOV.UK and the list itself is available through the download link below.