Population Movement Data: unlocking opportunities for a modern digital government
Case study details
| Metadata item | Details |
|---|---|
| Publication date: | 18 February 2026 |
| Owner: | Office for National Statistics (ONS) |
| Contact: | SRS.Impact@ons.gov.uk |
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is pleased to share insights from the recently published Population Movement Data: Unlocking Opportunities for a Modern Digital Government report, which highlights how anonymised and aggregated mobility data from Virgin Media O2 Business is being used across government to support public good.
Led by the Government Digital Service (GDS), the Innovation Sandbox brought together 27 public sector organisations to explore the potential of Population Movement Data (PMD) in real-world policy contexts. Over 80 use cases were proposed, with 55 taken forward for testing across sectors including health, transport, local growth, and crisis response.
Efficiency and innovation through centralised data access
ONS participated in the Innovation Sandbox to test the value of accessing commercial mobility data using a centralised platform. During the pilot, O2 mobility data was accessed through a Trusted Research Environment (TRE) in the ONS. This approach demonstrated how shared access can reduce duplication and procurement costs. The centralised model enabled faster, more collaborative analysis, and participants reported increased confidence and capability in using PMD.
Unlocking insights for place-based policy
An example of how O2 mobility data can inform place-based policy comes from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), which used PMD to define functional economic areas in England. These insights supported devolution strategies and local investment decisions, including bespoke data packs for 75 towns under the government’s long-term plan for towns. The work aligns closely with ONS objectives, and there is growing interest in scaling this approach within ONS trusted research environments.
Supporting local planning
Projects in the Innovation Sandbox showed how PMD accessed through ONS can support better local planning. For example, MHCLG and the ONS worked with local authorities to better understand the night-time economy, helping to inform local planning and economic development strategies. The Home Office explored how PMD could improve understanding of crime hotspots, supporting more targeted policing and safer communities.
Building a Community of Practice
The Innovation Sandbox fostered a vibrant community of analysts and policymakers, with regular knowledge-sharing sessions and collaborative problem-solving. Participants valued peer learning and expressed interest in continuing to work with their fellow participants beyond the pilot.
The final report
The final report recommends expanding access to PMD, developing shared guidance and training, and embedding PMD into public sector procurement frameworks. ONS is committed to supporting these goals and enabling more departments to harness the power of mobility data for public good.