The Cabinet Office will provide funding totalling £8.35 million to promote its open data initiative.

The funding will be used to help departments in overcoming technical obstacles in making data available to the public.

Business Minister Matthew Hancock said: “The value and scope for open data is extremely significant. Open data can improve public services, generate new revenue streams for companies and help to stimulate economic growth. That’s why we are backing it through these new investments".

The moves comes on top of a push to help businesses to make the most of the UK governments open data policy, including an £10 million Open Data Institute.