News 27th January 2016

Think government should be more transparent, engaging and accountable? Here’s how to get involved in writing the UK’s new open government action plan

by Tim Hughes

Open government is the simple but powerful idea that governments and institutions work better for citizens when they are transparent, engaging and accountable.

As a member of the global Open Government Partnership, the UK and devolved governments must publish an open government action plan in June 2016, setting out clear, specific and measurable open government reforms for the next two years.  In the spirit of open government, this action plan is being co-developed by government and civil society, and its implementation will be monitored by the Independent Reporting Mechanism of the OGP.  

The UK government and UK Open Government Civil Society Network are co-hosting a series of workshops for government and civil society to collaboratively develop commitments for the 2016-18 Open Government Partnership National Action Plan.  These workshops will cover the themes of access to information, open data, anti-corruption, public accountability, and civic participation.

You can find out more about these themes and get started on developing them, by commenting on their draft narratives:

Whether you’re from government, civil society, business or an interested citizen, we invite you to get involved in writing the UK’s new open government action plan by attending these workshops.

Access to information and open data:

Date and time: Tuesday 9th February, 9.30am to 12.30pm (followed by sandwich lunch)

Venue: Royal Statistical Society, 12 Errol Street, London EC1Y 8LX

Issues under consideration will include:

  • More accessible and inclusive discussions about open data policy
  • Greater data literacy for public sector, private sector, civil society and citizens
  • Improved release of open data for core data assets such as land valuation and geospatial data
  • Government departments committing to an evidence transparency framework
  • A single register for all government research
  • A single point of contact for public evidence requests in all public bodies
  • Improving how freedom of information works to make policymaking more effective and accountable
  • Increase the transparency of personal data use by government
  • Fully adopt the Open Contracting Principles and data standards
  • Introduce a public contracting disclosure baseline

Anti-corruption:

Date and time: Tuesday, 9 February 2016 from 15:00 to 17:00

Venue: Transparency International UK, 7-14 Great Dover St, London SE1 4YR GB

Issues under consideration will include:

  • Anti-corruption plan,
  • Extractives,
  • Whistleblowing and
  • Beneficial ownership

Public accountability:

Date and time: Wednesday, 10 February 2016 from 18.30

Venue: Portcullis House, Unit B, Bridge St, London SW1A 2LW

Ideas under consideration will include:

  • Make all parliamentary data freely available
  • Increase citizen involvement in the legislative process
  • Enshrine Parliamentary Openness
  • Open up the court system to public scrutiny

Civic participation:

Date and time: Thursday, 25 February, 14:00 to 17:00

Venue: The Foundry, 17 Oval Way, London, SE11 5RR

Issues under consideration will include:

  • Budget participation
  • Consultation
  • Digital engagement
  • Localism
  • Open policy making
  • Public engagement
  • Social action

Bristol

Details to follow shortly. Get notified when details are confirmed

Manchester

Details to follow shortly. Get notified when details are confirmed

Newcastle

Details to follow shortly. Get notified when details are confirmed