New ‘Data Exploration Licence’ launched to harmonise and simplify access and use of geospatial data.

Today, the Geospatial Commission and its partner bodies have launched a new single Data Exploration Licence to harmonise and simplify access and use of geospatial data. This is part of its £5 million investment made to the partner bodies last year for data foundation projects.

The Geospatial Commission was created in April 2018 in the centre of government, as an independent, expert committee. We aim to unlock the significant economic opportunities offered by geospatial data, and to reinforce the UK’s geospatial expertise on the global stage. As part of that, the Geospatial Commission is working with its six partner bodies to make the UK’s location data more accessible and useful.

The Data Exploration Licence means that anyone can now freely access data held by the British Geological Survey, Coal Authority, HM Land Registry, Ordnance Survey and the UK Hydrographic Office, for research, development and innovation purposes.

This single licence will mean that, without having to take a separate licence:

• researchers will be able to access data held by five partner bodies via one licence, rather than many
• users can be confident that they are using the data on consistent, harmonised terms, and that the various datasets can be used, combined and delivered in the same way, subject to the same conditions
• innovators have access to the data at no cost
• users will be permitted to share some of the results of their work with others

The project was driven by a collective determination to change the licensing landscape and simplify data access for users.

Nigel Clifford, Deputy Chair of the Geospatial Commission, said:

This is strong and collaborative progress against the commission’s mission of maximising the value of geospatial data for the UK. This makes geospatial data accessible for researchers in one place for the first time using a simplified licence.

This is one of four initial data improvement projects taken forward by the Geospatial Commission in partnership with the partner bodies to improve the UK’s geospatial data infrastructure. This joint programme of work aims to develop consistent data standards, whilst improving the accessibility, interoperability and quality of these datasets.

To date, this joint programme has run four programmes:

• Data Discoverability – through this project, the partner bodies have published catalogues outlining all of the datasets they hold and have made this available on data.gov.uk. Enhanced versions of these catalogues will be published at the end of April.
• Licensing – this project has resulted in today’s launch of the joint Data Exploration Licence. Work continues to look at ways to simplify licensing across the partner bodies.
• Linked Identifiers – this ongoing work is looking at how to increase the integration potential of different datasets across partner bodies and beyond, in order to drive both operational efficiency and innovation
• Enhancing of the Core Data Asset – this work led to the partner bodies sharing information and approaches on using third-party data, to enhance the quality of publicly-held geospatial datasets, specifically their own data.

The programme of work will continue through the next year, building on early successes and exploring new areas. The Geospatial Commission will say more about this programme of work in the annual plan it will publish this spring.

Professor John Ludden, CEO of the British Geological Survey, leaders of the licensing project, added:

BGS are always looking for ways to get its data used in new and novel ways. This new licence gives innovators a safe space to see what’s possible with data without having to worry about financial commitments or complicated restrictions on how the data should be used. We’re delighted to have joined up with our partner bodies of the Geospatial Commission to make this happen.

For further information, see the British Geological Survey, Coal Authority, HM Land Registry, Ordnance Survey and the UK Hydrographic Office at intellectual.property@ukho.gov.uk.

We are simplifying certificated work processes in certain family cases following a pilot with providers and representative bodies.

A new approach to certificated family work is being rolled out across England and Wales from 19 April 2019 following a successful pilot with providers.

The change is an example of partnership working between providers and our caseworkers. It means that legal aid certificates will in future be granted with a wider limitation on costs for most family proceedings.

Providers will be able to free up administrative time currently spent collating and submitting evidence before they can carry out their work.

What does this mean for my work?

Starting on 19 April 2019 applications for a set number of proceedings will be granted with a cost limitation of £25,000. These are all listed in the appropriate guidance. This change will reduce the need to submit a cost amendment in the future.

The evidence we currently ask to see upfront from providers for certificate amendments can be submitted when proceedings are concluded.

Why are you doing this?

This was a change suggested by providers at our process efficiency team (PET) working group. This group brings together caseworkers and providers to look at how we can work together more efficiently.

The change means we can:

• reduce the paper burden for providers
• give providers more time to act quickly for clients
• reduce the need for providers to contact us for further information

It also means that our caseworkers will have more time to spend on complex applications and providing a quality service.

What about existing cases?

Certificates with existing limitations will be amended in line with the new arrangements. This will apply for providers seeking amendments from 19 April 2019.

Further information

New guidance will be available on the CCMS training website from 23 April 2019

Digital.Assist@justice.gov.uk – to email enquiries about CCMS training

The purpose of the event is to showcase the developments made by suppliers in Phase 1 and encourage the forging of new relationships and collaborations with the possibility of maturing these innovative technologies during Phase 2 and beyond. This event will bring together the current suppliers from Phase 1 with experts and potential collaborators in people management, recruitment, retention and other development areas associated with the challenge. As part of this event, suppliers funded under Phase 1 will deliver a short presentation on the work they are undertaking.

To attend the event

To participate in this collaboration event please register by going to the Eventbrite page. Please note that places for this event are limited and if the event is oversubscribed, we reserve the right to limit attendance if needed.

In Spring 2018, DASA launched Phase 1 of the Defence People Innovation Challenge. Phase 1 was focused on the following 5 themes which are considered to offer the greatest scope for innovation and direct benefit to the management of people in the MOD:

• Challenge 1 – recruitment

• Challenge 2 – skills and training

• Challenge 3 – retention

• Challenge 4 – motivating the workforce

• Challenge 5 – rehabilitation within the workforce

Overall 7 bids were successful in Phase 1 with total funding of over 1 million awarded. Phase 2 of the competition will be launched at this event and will be open to existing suppliers and any new collaborators working with them.

If you have any queries, please do contact us at accelerator@dstl.gov.uk.