Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information

Today, David Rhind, Peter Wienand, Michael Nicholson, and Keith Dugmore met a group of officials from the French government including:

• Mr Alain Bodon, Inspecteur général des finances,
• Mr Maurice Sportiche, from the General Council for Industry, Energy and technology
• Mr Patrice Platel, from the Secrétariat général du gouvernement (that’s the French “Cabinet Office”)
• Miss Maud Iacomelli, policy officer at the French Embassy
• Mr Benoit Chevalier, Economic Counsellor of the Ambassador.

The purpose of the meeting was to find out about APPSI’s role and the UK’s key issues relating to the re-use of public sector information (PSI) as they are taking forward the French National Plan for Digital Economy, “France Digital 2012”, announced by the government last October, which will require policies to be put in place to enable greater access and re-use of PSI. The group was very much in listening mode and appeared interested to hear the different perspectives from the private and public sectors, issues emerging from the pricing of psi re-use in the UK, and how APPSI’s composition has helped to drive the information agenda forward. Tomorrow, this group will meet with officials from the Office of Public Sector Information.

Today, the Government published The Digital Britain Report, its strategic vision for ensuring that the UK is at the leading edge of the global digital economy. The report provides actions and recommendations to promote and protect talent and innovation in our creative industries, to modernise TV and radio frameworks and support local news, and introduces policies to maximise the social and economic benefits from digital technologies. The Report is one of the central policy commitments in the Government's Building Britain's Future plan and draft legislative programme.

Digital Britain measures include:

• A three-year National Plan to improve Digital Participation
• Universal Access to today's broadband services by 2012
• Next Generation fund for investment in tomorrow's broadband services
• Digital radio upgrade by the end of 2015
• mobile spectrum liberalisation, enhancing 3G coverage and accelerating Next Generation mobile services
• robust legal and regulatory framework to combat Digital Piracy
• support for public service content partnerships
• a revised digital remit for Channel 4
• consultation on funding options for national, regional and local news

In October 2007, the Prime Minister announced a number of constitutional initiatives, including an independent review of the "30 year rule" - the arrangements governing the custody of and access to public records.  The review was chaird by Paul Dacre, Editor in Chief of Associated Newspapers, Sir Joe Pilling, former Permanant Secretary of the Northern Ireland Office, and the historian Professor Sir David Cannadine. The team was supported throughout its work by staff from The National Archives.

The review took evidence from a wide range of organisations and individuals, and examined the history of access to public records. It published its report and recommendations in January 2009.

The government announced its response to the independent review today, having considered the findings of the report and consulted widely with relevant organisations.

Today, the Prime Minister announced the following key changes:

• A reduction in the 30 year rule to 20 years
• The potential broadening of the reach of the Freedom of Information Act
• Exemptions to the 20 year rule will include Royal and Cabinet papers
• Tim Berners-Lee will develop work on Web 3.0 to standardise government websites.

Details of Tim Berners-Lee's appointment.