|
The Locus Association welcomes today’s market study from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) for bringing clarity and rigour to the Public Sector Information (PSI) debate by setting out guidelines that will benefit the public sector, private sector and end consumer. The report further identifies the current tensions between existing government PSI policies and highlights that the implementation of new policy options for the marketplace could double the value of public sector information to the UK economy to £1 billion a year.
The OFT’s market study into the commercial use of public sector information closely examines whether the way in which Public Sector Information Holders (PSIHs) supply information works well for businesses and consumers. The report looks at the effects of government activity in information markets and makes a number of recommendations to address the current inequities in the marketplace, such as overly restrictive licence terms, high prices and accountability.
Key points from the report include:
§ “Raw information is not as easily available as it should be, licensing arrangements are restrictive, prices are not always linked to costs and PSIHs may be charging higher prices to competing businesses and giving them less attractive terms than their own value added operations”.
§ “Much of the legislation and guidance which aims to ensure access to information is provided on an equal basis, lacks clarity and is inadequately monitored”.
§ Implementing the OFT’s suggested guidelines for the PSI marketplace “could double the value of public sector information to the UK economy to £1 billion a year, and benefit consumers by providing a wider range of competitively priced goods and services”.
Sir Bryan Carsberg, President of Locus said: “The Locus Association was set up due to the very concerns about the Public Sector Information marketplace that are expressed so clearly in today’s report and Locus’ members are delighted that the OFT study reflects so many of the issues and aspirations for the PSI sector that are raised in the Locus Association manifesto”.
Richard Pawlyn Chairman of Locus said: “The Office of Fair Trading’s report sets out some clear recommendations to ensure a level playing field exists for both Public Sector Information Holders and the private sector. Locus members are committed to working with PSIH’s towards the maintenance and development of a vibrant, information-driven UK economy and this report from the OFT provides a good base for us to do this. In his Pre Budget Report yesterday, the Chancellor highlighted the importance of the UK’s knowledge economy and it’s clear that the implementation of this report’s recommendations is vital if the UK is to secure its position as a global information leader. Now that the OFT has agreed the problems the private sector faces the Government needs to act to give the private sector clear comfort that co-investing in adding value to data is safe and profitable”.
Michael Nicholson, Managing Director of Intelligent Addressing, said “The OFT’s report shores up the recommendations which the Office of Public Sector Information made earlier this year in their response to a complaint from Intelligent Addressing about a Public Sector Information Holder (PSIH). Locus looks forward to developing and maintaining constructive partnerships with PSIH’s based around the aims and recommendations of this OFT report”.
- ENDS -
Notes for Editors:
· 1. Locus was established in Autumn 2005 and formally launched on 26th January 2006. The Association’s President is a former Director General of the Office of Fair Trading and Oftel, Sir Bryan Carsberg.
§ 2. The Association exists to raise awareness of, and promote the development of, a healthy and competitive private sector in relation to Public Sector Information (PSI). Locus acts as a forum for exchange of information, keeps its members up to date with latest policy developments, and provides advice and guidance. Our members recognise the potential of PSI, but also the benefit of uniting to address some of the challenges and pooling resources to meet them.
§ The OFT launched a market study into the commercial use of information supplied by public sector information holders in July 2005. The study was launched to look at whether or not the way in which Public Sector Information Holders (PSIHs) supply information works well for businesses and consumers. It has further examined whether PSIHs have an unfair advantage selling on information in competition with companies who are reliant on the PSIH for that raw data in the first place.
§ 3. Intelligent Addressing Limited is a specialist private sector consultancy employing recognised experts in addressing and data management. It was originally set up to help develop the National Land and Property Gazetteer (NLPG) on behalf of local government and now manages the NLPG and National Street Gazetteer (NSG) central data hubs under the terms of the Mapping Services Agreement (MSA) with local government.
§ 4. The Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) sets standards, delivers access and encourages re-use of public sector information including Crown copyright material. OPSI manages the Information Fair Trader Scheme and provides advice and guidance on official publishing and Crown copyright. OPSI received a complaint from Intelligent Addressing dated 7 April 2006 about a Public Sector Information Holder, which was submitted under the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations (PSI Regulations) and the Information Fair Trader Scheme.
§ The full report can be found here:
http://www.oft.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/25E7503B-7631-4D60-81D2-979B4BA8C9C7/0/oft861.pdf
· Enquiries: Harriet Crosthwaite: 020 7930 9788 or harriet@quintuspa.com
|
