Policy paper

Open Data: unleashing the potential

The open data command paper sets out how we're putting data and transparency at the heart of government.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Documents

Open Data White Paper (pdf)

Open Data White Paper (doc)

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Open Data White Paper (odt)

Open Data Strategy Data Release Schedule

Details

Today we publish our command paper on open data, which sets out how we’re putting data and transparency at the heart of government and public services. 
 
We’re:

  • making it easier to access public data
  • making it easier for data publishers to release data in standardised, open formats
  • engraining a ‘presumption to publish’ unless there are clear, specific reasons (such as privacy or national security) not to do so  
    From the Prime Minister down, central government is committed to making open data an effective engine of economic growth, social wellbeing, political accountability and public service improvement.
Published 28 June 2012