Prime Minister hails Berners-Lee/Shadbolt initiative

Speaking today (2 February), the Prime Minster, Gordon Brown hailed the work of ECS Professors Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Nigel Shadbolt for the transformation they have brought to government processes.

In a speech to the Institute for Public Policy Research outlining plans for reform of the voting system, the Prime Minister referred to the work on freeing up access to public data led since June 2009 by Professor Berners-Lee and Professor Shadbolt. This has already resulted in the launch of the official data.gov.uk site, which the Prime Minster said 'is just the start of creating new, more transparent public services and public sector bodies'.

Referring to the achievement of data.gov.uk, the Prime Minister said: 'Already as a result of the Berners Lee /Shadbolt initiative a transformation is at work. A myriad of applications are being developed on the web by citizens for citizens - new websites on health, education, crime and local communities - that inform, enrich and enliven our democracy. It is truly direct democracy in action.'

The Government plans to release more information over coming months, making it easier to link datasets that will enable greater information about public services. In a parallel initiative Professor Shadbolt has also been asked to work with local government to ensure greater access to data held by councils and local government agencies. This work will continue over the next year.

For further information contact Joyce Lewis; tel.+44(0)23 8059 5453.