CILIP responds to Spending Review 2025: Information professionals key to delivering data-driven and inclusive public services

CILIP welcomes the ambitions set out in the Spending Review 2025 to drive productivity, innovation and inclusion across the UK economy through data-led reform, investment in research, and digital transformation in public services. The support for disadvantaged young people and communities is also welcome.

However, CILIP is concerned that information professionals, including knowledge managers, librarians, and data specialists, have been overlooked as a strategic asset in delivering these goals.

From NHS knowledge services and school librarians to research data managers and HE learning resource specialists, information professionals are critical infrastructure for a data-literate, evidence-informed and resilient society. They also ensure opportunities include the most disadvantaged people.

Louis Coiffait-Gunn, Chief Executive Officer, CILIP, said:

“If the government is serious about building a future driven by knowledge, research and innovation, then it must invest in the people who turn data into decisions, and information into impact.

“Whether it’s researchers navigating complex datasets, clinicians seeking life-saving evidence quickly, or students learning to assess the reliability of online content, information professionals are the enablers behind informed and inclusive progress.”

CILIP urges all those responsible for delivering the Spending Review to:

• Recognise the vital strategic role of information professionals across every sector.
• Invest in professional training, and workforce planning and development for information roles.
• Embed world-class knowledge, information and library services in delivery plans including for education, health, research and digital government.

Without the experts who manage, structure, explain and safeguard our data and information, the UK’s ambitions for a fairer, greener and more prosperous future and a productive and agile state will remain out of reach.