Government should open up data for online innovation

Public sector should provide more information and encourage third sector to do so

Watson: Enthusiastic blogger

A task force set up to improve the public sector's interaction with the internet has issued a report with a number of specific policies for the government to follow.

The report, published by the Power of Information task force, recommends that Ordnance Survey data – funded by the taxpayer - should be made available to the public, that public sector workers should be allowed to engage with social media, and that policy dialogues should be opened up online.

Tom Watson, minister for transformational government, welcomed the report on his blog. "I am very grateful to the Power of Information Task Force members who have worked hard to produce their report," he said.

"They have already helped shape action across government, whether it be the reuse of data agendas, public servants and their use of social networks or how the tools can be used to innovate."

The report also says the government should follow a BBC-style model from the broadcaster's 'backstage' service which opens up BBC data and services for online innovation.

"A 'backstage' for central government would help to unlock the huge potential of the government's information," says the report.

"If such a model were to work closely with experienced organisations like the BBC there is an opportunity to create a world class online virtual innovation centre."

The government should also encourage the third-party sector to open up their information in similar ways, the report recommends.

The report has been published in beta for comments before being officially submitted to the Cabinet Office.