Housing and communities

Research using secure data in the Secure Research Service (SRS) to analyse housing conditions, affordability, neighbourhood characteristics and community outcomes. This includes studies on housing needs, mobility, regeneration, homelessness and the links between place, services and well-being.

In this section

  1. Publish a case study
  2. Population Movement Data: unlocking opportunities for a modern digital government

1. Publish a case study

If you use ONS Secure Research Service data and would like to discuss writing a future case study with us, please get in touch at SRS.Impact@ons.gov.uk.

Please also report any outputs here: Outputs Reporting Form

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2. Population Movement Data: unlocking opportunities for a modern digital government

Date: August 2025

This work explores how anonymised and aggregated mobility data from Virgin Media O2 Business is supporting public sector decision‑making.

Through the Government Digital Service Innovation Sandbox, 27 organisations tested over 50 real‑world use cases, using Population Movement Data accessed securely through an ONS Trusted Research Environment. The pilot showed how centralised access can reduce duplication, strengthen analytical capability and enable more efficient use of commercial mobility data. The insights informed place‑based planning, including defining functional economic areas, supporting devolution strategies and improving understanding of local economies, crime patterns and community needs.

The final report recommends expanding access to mobility data and developing shared guidance to embed its use across government.

Read the full case study at: Population Movement Data: unlocking opportunities for a modern digital government - GOV.UK.

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