The UK government has launched a call for evidence to gather views on the charging policies for the re-use of public sector data. This crucial review questions whether public bodies should be permitted to charge above the 'marginal cost' for providing access to the vast datasets they hold, and what specific approaches and conditions should govern such charges.
Currently, many public bodies are restricted to charging only the marginal cost of providing data for re-use. This typically covers the cost of copying, formatting, and distributing the data, but not the initial cost of collecting or producing it. The call for evidence seeks to explore whether this framework remains appropriate in an increasingly data-driven economy, and what potential benefits or drawbacks could arise from a shift in policy.
The debate around charging for public sector information is long-standing. Proponents of marginal cost charging argue that it promotes transparency, fosters innovation by making data widely accessible, and stimulates economic growth through the development of new services and products. Conversely, some argue that public bodies incur significant costs in data collection and maintenance, and that allowing them to recover a greater portion of these costs could provide better funding for data quality, infrastructure, and more comprehensive datasets.
The consultation invites stakeholders, including businesses, researchers, academics, and members of the public, to submit their perspectives. It aims to understand the potential impacts of different charging models on various sectors, examining how any changes might affect the uptake and utility of public sector data. The government is particularly interested in understanding the conditions under which higher charges might be justified, such as for specific types of data or for particular commercial uses.
This review comes at a time when the value of data is increasingly recognised across all sectors. The outcome could significantly influence how businesses and innovators access and utilise government-held information, from geographical data and statistics to environmental records. A shift in policy could either unlock new avenues for data-driven innovation or, conversely, create new barriers to access, depending on the framework eventually adopted.