Administrative data is created when people interact with public services such as schools, the NHS, the courts or the benefits system, and is collected by government. It also includes basic information about people, including registrations of births, deaths and marriages, the electoral register and national censuses.
Public bodies keep these records to run services effectively, support day-to-day work, monitor performance and improve how they operate.
Across the UK, administrative data remains a largely underused yet highly valuable resource. When accessed securely by accredited researchers, it can provide powerful insights into society and help identify where improvements or policy changes may be needed.
Why is better access to administrative data so important for research?
Access to de-identified administrative data is highly valuable for research, offering a more accurate and comprehensive picture of UK society than other data sources alone.
While no dataset is perfect, administrative data captures information on everyone interacting with public services, helping to reduce biases—such as participation bias—often found in surveys.
The greatest benefit from using administrative data in research comes from linking data held by different government departments and public services. This is central to ADR UK and ADR Scotland’s work. Data linkage enables researchers to understand how different aspects of life interact, improving insight into our understanding of society and helping to identify where change is needed to make a meaningful difference.
Financial benefits to using administrative data for research
In November 2025, an independent mid-term evaluation of the ADR UK programme estimated that we deliver a benefit-cost ratio of 5.05 – meaning every £1 spent generates over £5 in benefits.
Using interviews, case studies, surveys and economic analysis, the report finds that ADR UK’s cost savings and projected socio-economic impacts significantly outweigh its costs.
