Locus Association Calls for Level Playing ....

23 April 2009, 10:06am

Locus Association Calls for Level Playing Field in PSI marketplace

The Locus Association today expressed disappointment at the missed opportunity of Budget 2009 in addressing the lack of fair competition in the Public Sector Information (PSI) marketplace. Whilst the Budget and the accompanying Operational Efficiency Programme, make clear references to Trading Funds, the Government has failed to capitalise on the opportunity the Budget presented for real change and innovation in the PSI sector.

Locus believes that today was a clear chance for Government to transform the Public Sector Information marketplace to the advantage of the public sector, the private sector and the end consumer. The Operational Efficiency Programme follows numerous independent reports, several commissioned by the Government - none of which have suggested that maintaining the current status quo is desirable – yet despite this, the Government has failed to deliver real and positive change that will ensure a level playing field in the marketplace.

Michael Nicholson, Locus Chairman, said “Enhancing access to Public Sector Information (PSI) for re-use - for general economic benefit and as a means of improving services to citizens - is an enduring goal of successive UK Governments but one that has proved elusive. Government had a clear opportunity to redress this situation with today’s Budget and Locus is frustrated at the Government’s failure on this count”.

“The Government also had an opportunity today to publish the much trumpeted Trading Fund Assessment – yet this too has not been delivered. Choice, innovation and greater efficiency can only result from the fair competition that a level playing field allows – today’s Budget fails to deliver this to the detriment of all”.

Enquiries: Harriet Crosthwaite - 020 7340 6260 or harriet@quintuspa.com

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