The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has recently become much more vocal about its role and resources – and also about how the government handles data.

The agency, which is independent of the government but funded by it, called the data breach at the HMRC a “watershed” moment in privacy, and has generally suggested that it is time for the government, and the UK in general, to get its data house in order.

Such calls have been a long time coming. The ICO has often been described as a toothless watchdog, so any increases in powers and financing that it gets will be welcome. Its stance in relation to the recent data breaches should also provide a warning to UK firms that if the agency is willing to publicly criticise its own paymaster, it is likely to take just as tough – or tougher – a line with other organisations.