The government has also announced that it plans to undergo a complete overhaul of the data.gov.uk site to include better search facilities, simpler ways to access information, and better tools for developers, such as API access to the catalogue holdings.

Across UK government more than 9,000 datasets have been made available via data.gov.uk and the Cabinet Office plans to launch a £10 million Open Data Institute, headed up by inventor of the internet Tim Berners-Lee, to help businesses maximise the commercial value of open data.

Gavin Starks, founder of environmental data website AMEE, as its new CEO.

It also appointed Jeni Tennison, who is currently serving as the technical architect of legislation.gov.uk for The Stationary Office and The National Archives, as technical director.

Computerworld UK asked Vein what advice he would give to the UK government to overcome any pain points in getting public sector data out into the open. He said: "My natural inclination is to do big things, but start small, talk to your customer and build iteratively. Always start small."