Public sector data release to be accelerated The new board "will advise Ministers on what data should be released and has the potential to unlock growth opportunities for businesses across the UK," the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills claimed. At least a third of its members will be from outside Government. The new board will work with organisations such as the Met Office, Ordnance Survey and Companies House; all these bodies hold data that is valuable, and which some countries make available free because they believe it promotes economic growth from which Government derives more money in tax than it would make from charging for access. The Board will have a budget of £7million to purchase existing rights to data use, and will provide evidence on how data, including what is released free of charge, will generate economic growth and social benefit. Chris Yiu, author of a report from think tank Policy Exchange entitled A Right To Data, said, "This is a step in the right direction toward opening up the UK's public data for free for everyone. There is an opportunity here to shape the open data agenda and it's important that people from all fields get involved. Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude, who will be jointly responsible for the board with Universities and Science Minister David Willetts, said "The new structure for Open Data will ensure a more inclusive discussion, including private sector data users, on future data releases, how they should be paid for and which should be available free of charge." The Government recently announced that Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales would advise it on how to use data more effectively.