Seven out of 10 local authorities are harnessing data analytics to improve citizen services, freedom of information requests reveal.

The data platform company Looker issued 60 FOIs to UK local authorities and found that 68% of councils were leveraging analytics to enhance the quality of their services.

Around 58% of 26 authorities currently using business intelligence software are using it to improve waste collection, the FOIs show.

Of those responding to the requesr, 38% and 35% are using it for council tax services and traffic/movement analysis respectively.

Local authorities have cited several benefits following deployments including improved service provisions, reduced costs, better decision making and a clearer understanding of customer journeys.

Half of the 41 local authorities who responded are considering investing increased funds into data analytics/business intelligence technology over the next year.

‘Advanced and easy-to-use data analytics platforms are enabling all types of organisations to speed up and improve their decision-making, arming their teams with real-time access to data and insights,’ said John O’Keeffe, VP of EMEA, Looker.

‘With local authorities providing critical citizen services each and every day, it’s pleasing to see the broad range of facilities being improved by analytics.’