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regulation activities such as the new online safety framework and the pro-competition regime for digital markets.

315. In line with the Plan for Digital Regulation, the government wants to equip digital regulators with the right capabilities to respond quickly to the latest innovations in markets and digital technologies. The ICO should continue to collaborate effectively with other digital regulators as the fast-moving and cross-cutting nature of digital technologies means that regulatory regimes may become increasingly interconnected.

316. This approach is consistent with the proposals set out in the government’s consultation on Reforming the Framework for Better Regulation in line with the move to smarter and more agile regulation. The consultation reviews the role of regulators, especially in relation to competition and innovation, and proposes more discretion for regulators to achieve their objectives in a flexible way, counterbalanced by increased accountability and scrutiny.

317. The ICO currently receives a small amount of Grant In Aid funding from the government for its statutory responsibilities in relation to the Freedom of Information Act, Network and Information Systems Regulations, Investigatory Powers Act and legislation in relation to electronic identification and trust services. Its statutory responsibilities in relation to data protection are funded by organisations that pay the data protection fee, which accounts for the majority of the ICO’s funding overall. The government will continue to monitor the efficacy of the ICO's funding model and fee structure and, if necessary, consult on any changes in light of the reforms to the ICO set out below.

318. The reform proposals outlined in sections 5.2 (Strategy, Objectives and Duties), 5.5 (Codes and Guidance), 5.6 (Complaints), and 5.7 (Enforcement) relate to the ICO’s remit for data protection only. The reform proposals outlined in sections 5.3 (Governance Model and Leadership), and 5.4 (Accountability and Transparency) relate to the ICO’s entire remit.

319. The government is committed to the ICO’s status as an independent regulator. This is particularly important for the ICO’s role in the regulation of public bodies, both for data protection and freedom of information.

5.2 Strategy, Objectives and Duties 320. Currently, the UK GDPR does not provide the ICO with a clear framework of objectives and duties against which to prioritise its activities and resources, evaluate its performance and be held accountable by its stakeholders. Instead, the ICO is obliged to fulfil a long list of tasks, as set out in Article 57 of the UK GDPR, but without a strategic framework to guide its work. The ICO has started to fill this gap by publishing documents, such as its Information Rights Strategic Plan, which sets out strategic objectives and goals. This is complemented by documents on specific areas, such as its Technology Strategy and International Strategy. A clearer set of statutory strategic objectives for the ICO could offer greater clarity and stability to the ICO's role and purpose, improve transparency, and strengthen accountability in line with best practice of other regulators.

321. The government proposes to introduce a new, statutory framework that sets out the strategic objectives and duties that the ICO must fulfil when exercising its functions. As the ICO's role becomes increasingly important for competition, innovation and economic growth, this strategic framework should empower the ICO to take greater account of impacts in these other domains as it supervises and enforces the UK's data protection regime. As an independent 115