This is the third time we have released significant detail on the volume of our data requests to industry, and how long we give firms to respond. This theme also includes survey data that captures firms’ sentiments towards our data collection activities.
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What the metric values tell us
This is the third time we have released this level of detail on our RegData and ad hoc requests for data from firms [DC-M01]. RegData is the main way we collect data. It includes the forms that firms complete so we can supervise financial services effectively.
We also collect ad hoc data from firms, for example when investigating emerging issues in a market. These requests go through an internal data governance process to ensure they are proportionate and do not place unnecessary burden on firms.
The total number of data requests has decreased by 11.2% compared to 2024/25. The number of firms submitting returns also fell, by 8.1%. The average number of requests firms received during the period has decreased from 16.3 to 15.8 per firm.
As part of our commitment to reduce the burden on firms, we only collect the data we need. In 2025/26, we issued 4 consultations to decommission RegData templates, reduce reporting frequency or reduce the burden.
Some of these templates were still used earlier in the year, so firms will not see the full impact until the next reporting period.
The largest reductions in 2025/26 came from decommissioning:
- RMA-F ‘Threshold Conditions’ (19,569 fewer submissions)
- REP008 ‘Conduct Rules’ (18,711 fewer)
- REP022 ‘General Insurance pricing attestation’ (11,638 fewer)
Together, these reduced data requests by around 49,918 submissions, or 6.7% of previous year’s total.
We recognise that the time firms have to respond to requests is an important part of the overall burden.
In 2025/26, the average time to respond to data and information requests (RegData and ad hoc) was 48 days, an increase of 3 days from the previous year. Firms have told us that ad hoc requests can be disruptive. In December 2024, we introduced a policy to give firms 8 weeks to respond to these requests where possible.
In 2025/26, 85% of ad hoc requests approved by our Information Governance Board gave firms 8 weeks or more to respond, up from 27% in 2024/25. As a result, the average response time for ad hoc requests increased from 42 days to 58 days. Ad hoc requests represent a small proportion of all requests (less than 3%). This means the overall increase in average response time is small.
Firms have mixed views on whether they have enough time to respond to our data requests and whether the requests are necessary, given other data sources [DC-M02].
Flexible firms are more likely than fixed firms to agree that they have enough time to respond to data requests. However, the proportion of fixed firms that strongly agree or agree has increased significantly, from around 29% in 2023/24 and 30% in 2025 to 49% in 2026.
The proportion of fixed firms that ‘strongly agree’ or ‘agree’ that we only request data that cannot be obtained from elsewhere has remained stable at 42% in both 2025 and 2026 . Among flexible firms, this fell slightly from 56% in 2025 to 53% in 2026.
We continue to streamline data collection by removing unnecessary returns. We balance longer response times with the need to receive data in time to support our interventions. We are also improving our data collection processes for firms of all sizes.