FINDS and SDR UK Take Evidence to Parliament at Evidence Week 2025

In the fast-moving world of policy, ensuring decisions are based on solid evidence is more important than ever. That’s why we're proud to share that SDR UK and FINDS are showcasing the power of smart data at this year’s Evidence Week in Parliament.

The Financial Data Service (FINDS) is operated by Smart Data Foundry and the University of Edinburgh, and is part of Smart Data Research UK (SDR UK), a national initiative using data for social good.

By bringing financial evidence into the heart of government, FINDS is helping build a more responsive, data-driven approach to economic policy.

On 4th November 2025, the FINDS and SDR UK team will meet with MPs and Peers at Westminster to share their latest research on using smart financial data to detect early signs of financial hardship. These insights are already helping to shape smarter, data-driven policymaking, and ensuring that support reaches people who need it most, when they need it.

MPs, Peers and Parliamentary staff can book their ten minute quickfire briefing slot here: https://senseaboutscience.org/evidence-week/institution/smart-data-for-a-real-world-view-of-emerging-financial-hardship/

What Is Evidence Week?

Now in its eighth year, Evidence Week is a unique event that brings together parliamentarians, researchers, and the public to explore how evidence is used in UK policymaking. It’s organised by the charity Sense about Science, in partnership with the Quadram Institute, the UK Statistics Authority, and other research institutions from across the UK.

Over the course of the week (3–7 November), MPs, peers and parliamentary staff will take part in rapid-fire briefings from leading researchers, covering urgent and complex issues like artificial intelligence, healthcare, sports gambling, prison reform and of course, economic wellbeing. These can be booked via the Sense About Science website.

SDR UK and FINDS are delivering evidence that is not only timely and robust, but also grounded in real-world data that reflects the everyday financial challenges many people face.

Data from the frontline of lived experience

At this year’s event, FINDS will be spotlighting new policy recommendations based on cutting-edge insights from our Economic Wellbeing Explorer. By leveraging smart data, alongside contextual information, the Explorer is already helping local government to uncover real-time signals of financial strain; by attending Evidence Week, we hope to show that smart data is a powerful tool for national policymakers too.

This kind of real-world, near real-time evidence is critical for designing effective support systems and ensuring current policies keep pace with the realities people face on the ground.