Westminster may not be ready to go open-source just yet, but today's announcement is one step closer to an open government.
Unveiled by the National Archives and developed by HM Stationery Office - which administers the Crown Copyright - the new Open Government Licence (OGL) aims to enable greater access to a range of public sector information.
The existing framework is clunky and inefficient, requiring anyone attempting to use government data to register and formally apply for permission. The new licence - which is broadly similar to, and interoperable with, existing schemes like Creative Commons - lays out the basic guidelines for how data can be used. As a result, it should be much easier for entrepreneurs and developers to make use of the available data.
Going forward, the OGL will be applied to materials covered by the Crown Copyright, databases and source code of publicly-developed software.
Commenting on the launch, Minister for the National Archives, Lord McNally, said "the National Archives isn't simply a repository of our nation's history, its task is to bring information to life, make it accessible and enable its re-use. This innovative licence gives everyone the opportunity to create products and services which benefit society".
The OGL is part of the larger UK Government Licensing Framework that aims to make public-sector information easier to access. The goal is to promote creativity and innovation while increasing transparency.
Full details on the terms of the new licence are available now from the National Archives.
