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The UK’s Geospatial Commission has launched a ‘Call for Evidence’ consultation that encourages stakeholders to contribute to the UK Government’s strategy to accelerate the use of location data.
In 2020, the Geospatial Commission published a five-year strategy aimed at unlocking the value of location data and technology in the UK. The strategy committed to a mid-point refresh in order to remain relevant and focused on its priorities.
Location data already unlocks significant economic value and can address a multitude of challenges across sectors. The core geospatial ecosystem in the UK has grown from £2 billion in 2009 to £6 billion in 2018, an average annual growth rate of 10% for that period.
“Location data is driving economic growth and unlocking innovation — from the mapping of underground pipes and cables to drone-enabled deliveries,” said Cabinet Office Minister, Baroness Neville-Rolfe. “This Call for Evidence asks for your help to inform the UK’s priorities for location data in sectors across the economy.”
The Call for Evidence is the next step in the UK’s strategy development to enable the government to learn more about the latest geospatial market context: the challenges, proven successes and potential opportunities such as the role of location data in hybrid reality – the ‘geoverse’.
Responses will help to define and update the strategy’s priorities, in alignment with the wider geospatial ecosystem as it matures.
“Location data and technologies are fundamental to how our economy and society functions today,” said Geospatial Commission Director, Thalia Baldwin.
“They provide live information for individuals on travel, exercise and deliveries, and support long term decisions for organisations on where to invest and build, such as electric vehicle charge-points. Demand is increasing and innovative applications of location data are vast.”
