United Kingdom

What open government policy can learn from internet culture: Reflections on developing the 2016-18 Open Government Action Plan

24th May 2016

Last week saw the launch of the UK’s 2016-18 Open Government National Action Plan – the third plan the government has produced as a member of the global Open Government Partnership. The plan contains an impressive list of commitments, from extending company ownership transparency to opening up elections data, and collecting granular data on government grants to enhancing…


Continue, Start, Stop? Some Reflections on the UK’s Third National Action Plan

18th May 2016

On the 12 May the government launched its third open government National Action plan for the OGP. It’s an interesting mixture, so here’s a quick overview of what’s ongoing, what’s new and what’s not there: Continuing: despite David Cameron’s own difficulties over tax, his push over international tax transparency and anti-corruption continues. Perhaps the most…




OGN statement on the UK Open Government National Action Plan 2016-18

12th May 2016

Statement from the UK Open Government Network steering committee on the publication of the UK Open Government National Action Plan 2016-18 Open government is the simple but powerful idea that governments and institutions work better for citizens when they are transparent, engaging and accountable. It is not a set of lofty principles, but the building block…


UK Open Government National Action Plan 2016-18 launched!

12th May 2016

The UK’s 2016-18 Open Government National Action Plan, the result of collaboration between the Open Government Network and government, has been launched at today’s Anti-Corruption Summit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-open-government-national-action-plan-2016-18/uk-open-government-national-action-plan-2016-18 The plan will be a rolling action plan, with existing commitments extended and new commitments added over the course of the next two years. Summary of commitments Commitment number…


OGN meeting with Matthew Hancock, Minister for the Cabinet Office | 21 April 2016

9th May 2016

Thursday, 21 April, 4:00pm – 4:45pm Attendees Matthew Hancock MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General (Chair) Paul Maltby, Director of Data at Government Digital Service Thom Townsend, Government Digital Service Oliver Buckley, Deputy Director, Policy and International, Government Digital Service Jeremy Foster, Policy Officer, Government Digital Service Andy Williamson, Democratise Colm Burns,…


#ogpuk: Newcastle workshop notes

6th May 2016

Date: Thursday, 13 April 2016 from 15:00 to 17:30 Venue: Broadacre House, Market Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6HQ Introduction On 13 April 2016, the UK Open Government Network hosted a workshop in Newcastle to discuss progress on the 2016-18 National Action Plan and ideas for future commitments. Open contracting Tim explained that the OGN…


#ogpuk: Notes from Birmingham workshop

29th April 2016

Date: Thursday, 7 April 2016 from 15:00 to 17:30 Venue: Impact Hub Birmingham, 58 Oxford Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, B5 5NR Introduction On 7 April 2016, the UK Open Government Network and Cabinet Office co-hosted a workshop in Birmingham to discuss progress on the 2016-18 National Action Plan and ideas for future commitments. Freedom of Information Interest in whether the…


What impact would Land Registry privatisation have on transparency? Help write the OGN’s consultation response

26th April 2016

UPDATE: The deadline for contributing to drafting/editing the submission has been extended to 20 May.  Get involved here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A-3ckBTAAIWSwgpSTSD3IaPVWniLoeSd_eNJgrXgDc4/edit?usp=sharing  Introduction The government launched a consultation just before Easter on plans to privatise the Land Registry.  While the consultation document is at pains to stress that the register itself will remain in public ownership, there is significant concern…