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Ministers criticised for sale of postcode database Ministers criticised for sale of postcode database
(about 3 hours later)
The inclusion of a valuable database of postcodes and addresses in the Royal Mail flotation has been criticised by an influential group of MPs.The inclusion of a valuable database of postcodes and addresses in the Royal Mail flotation has been criticised by an influential group of MPs.
The Public Administration Committee said the Postcode Address File (PAF) was a national asset and should not have been included in privatisation.The Public Administration Committee said the Postcode Address File (PAF) was a national asset and should not have been included in privatisation.
It includes all known postal addresses in the UK, with 1.8 million postcodes.It includes all known postal addresses in the UK, with 1.8 million postcodes.
The committee's report said the PAF was included to boost Royal Mail's value but this was denied by the government.The committee's report said the PAF was included to boost Royal Mail's value but this was denied by the government.
'Never again''Never again'
The MPs said the database had been expensive to collect and was of "huge direct value" to the economy.The MPs said the database had been expensive to collect and was of "huge direct value" to the economy.
The PAF, a complete set of the nation's postcodes, is valuable because its details can be used by businesses for mailshots and marketing.The PAF, a complete set of the nation's postcodes, is valuable because its details can be used by businesses for mailshots and marketing.
The committee expressed concern about the credibility of assurances over continued access for small businesses and others, now the database was in private hands.The committee expressed concern about the credibility of assurances over continued access for small businesses and others, now the database was in private hands.
Committee chairman Bernard Jenkin said: "The sale of the PAF with the Royal Mail was a mistake. Public access to public sector data must never be sold or given away again.Committee chairman Bernard Jenkin said: "The sale of the PAF with the Royal Mail was a mistake. Public access to public sector data must never be sold or given away again.
"This type of information, like census information and many other data sets, is very expensive to collect and collate into useable form, but it also has huge potential value to the economy and society as a whole if it is kept as an open, public good."This type of information, like census information and many other data sets, is very expensive to collect and collate into useable form, but it also has huge potential value to the economy and society as a whole if it is kept as an open, public good.
"The UK government was an early mover on government open data, but other governments, watching the UK with interest, are catching up fast."The UK government was an early mover on government open data, but other governments, watching the UK with interest, are catching up fast.
"If the government does not take the opportunities offered, there is a risk in the UK that businesses with growth potential will be deterred by fees for data, and by legal and administrative barriers, while other countries are developing their data industrial base and stealing a lead over the UK.""If the government does not take the opportunities offered, there is a risk in the UK that businesses with growth potential will be deterred by fees for data, and by legal and administrative barriers, while other countries are developing their data industrial base and stealing a lead over the UK."
'Integral part''Integral part'
The committee said making public data available could empower people, make government more accountable, improve public services and benefit the economy and society as a whole.The committee said making public data available could empower people, make government more accountable, improve public services and benefit the economy and society as a whole.
Analysts Deloitte had assessed the value of this information to consumers, businesses and the public sector at £1.8bn a year, it added.Analysts Deloitte had assessed the value of this information to consumers, businesses and the public sector at £1.8bn a year, it added.
The government said it had ensured the postal database remained available for some other uses, including a free option for looking up postcodes.The government said it had ensured the postal database remained available for some other uses, including a free option for looking up postcodes.
A spokesman for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said: "The Postcode Address File was included in the sale of Royal Mail because it is an integral part of its operations, not to boost the price."A spokesman for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said: "The Postcode Address File was included in the sale of Royal Mail because it is an integral part of its operations, not to boost the price."
Royal Mail said it was working on a proposal to widen access to the PAF.Royal Mail said it was working on a proposal to widen access to the PAF.
"Royal Mail recognises the importance that PAF plays as a vital dataset supporting and sustaining key parts of the UK economy and we are committed to its widespread availability at a fair price," it said in a statement."Royal Mail recognises the importance that PAF plays as a vital dataset supporting and sustaining key parts of the UK economy and we are committed to its widespread availability at a fair price," it said in a statement.
Labour trade and investment spokesman Ian Murray said: "This report raises yet more concerns that taxpayers have been short-changed by David Cameron's botched Royal Mail fire sale, losing valuable public assets including the Postcode Address File to City speculators."