Minister promises focus on open standards

Answering a parliamentary written question from Labour MP Tom Watson, Maude said the government will use open data standards for future releases of public data, based on the advice of the Public Sector Transparency Board. "Where possible we will use recognised open standards including Linked Data standards," he said. However, he added that this will not be used to delay the initial release of datasets, such as the Treasury's Coins spending information. In answer to a separate question from Lib Dem MP John Pugh, Maude said his office had not yet made any estimate on the savings that would result from compliance with open standards in government IT procurement. "As part of the forward work programme, the Efficiency and Reform Group within the Cabinet Office has already begun work to review and simplify ICT procurement, including an increased focus on the use of open standards," Maude said. "Once this programme is under way we will be define the targets for savings from this activity and these will be published." An increased emphasis on open standards was one of the Conservative Party's pre-election pledges for IT policy.