Open government data and Digital Britain

Re-reading the Digital Britain report today and came across this quote:

Public Service data and content play an increasingly important role in the digital economy. The Government has embraced the vision of the Power of Information Task Force and, in respect of important data sources for innovation, such as geospatial data, agencies are significantly improving access to data and clearer licensing pathways from innovation to large scale commercial use.

Pretty powerful stuff and I wholeheartedly agree that data provided by government can play a huge role in spurring further innovation, but particularly so if offered as free both as in cost and as in liberty. And from what I saw at this year’s OpenTech, I know that some in government definitely agree with this sentiment.

In particular for geospatial data however, I would like to point out that an alternative source from the UK government that is free in both senses does exist…