A new report values the impact of geospatial information to public service delivery during 2008-2009 in England and Wales at £320 million.

The study was undertaken by ConsultingWhere and ACIL Tasman to gauge the impact of geospatial information on local public service delivery, which includes local authorities, emergency services and primary care.

The author’s of the report expect the value of the information to increase to £560 million in 2014-2015; this number could rise as high as £600 million if policies to open up data access were in place and senior managers were made more aware of the value of geospatial information.

Geospatial information also has led to other benefits including reducing greenhouse gases, according to the report. It has helped reduce carbon emissions, led to more sustainable environmental management through better and more accessible data and improved the health and wellbeing of citizens.

The report also concludes that improved government policies, training and awareness of geospatial matters could lead to even greater benefits.