The UK government has awarded £1.5 million to support public open data initiatives and training programmes in a bid to improve transparency and encourage data sharing in the private sector.

The funding comes from the Open Data User Group (ODUG) in the form of the Release of Data fund, with the £1.5 million total being increased over the following years.

Programmes that have been awarded funds so far include an open data training programme for 120 government procurement officers, the creation of online training material and a local data census which is designed to highlight areas that lack data coverage.

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude, said: "Open Data is a raw material for economic growth, supporting the creation of new markets, business and jobs and helping us compete in the global race. To ensure this agenda continues to thrive, we are supporting a number of projects which will drive forward this culture of openness."

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