Scotland Joins the Public Sector Geospatial Agreement

The first collective geospatial agreement for Great Britain, allowing the public sector from England, Wales and Scotland to access Ordnance Survey (OS) geospatial data and expertise, has been achieved. The Scottish Government and Geospatial Commission have agreed that from 19 May 2020, Scotland is a part of the recently launched Public Sector Geospatial Agreement.

This national agreement will now replace the current One Scotland Mapping Agreement (OSMA) and the Greenspace Scotland contracts.

Scottish Government users, made up of 146 member organisations of the OSMA, will now access OS data and expertise via the PSGA. They will join Public Sector Members from England and Wales in accessing a range of digital mapping datasets for the whole of Great Britain, including addressing and road information. The PSGA will also provide increased technical support and access to new data in the future.

First GB-wide joint agreement to access OS data

It is envisaged that the new PSGA will deliver significant benefits, providing insight to underpin decision-making, drive efficiencies and continuing to support the delivery of public services. Steve Blair, Ordnance Survey CEO, said: "We are delighted that Scotland has joined the PSGA, creating the first GB-wide joint agreement for customers across the public sector to access OS data. The PSGA delivers exciting opportunities for both OS and our customers and I am confident that it will unlock significant social, environmental and economic benefits for England, Scotland and Wales."

Albert King, Chief Data Officer, Scottish Government said: “The Scottish Government welcomes the opportunities provided by the new PSGA. This agreement secures continuity of access to data which underpins delivery of our public services at a time when we depend on them more than ever.”

"Furthermore, it extends this to encompass a breadth of new datasets and services, with the potential to significantly improve public services in Scotland, by improving decision-making and saving time, money and lives.“

The PSGA started on 1 April 2020 and is set to benefit the public sector, businesses, developers and academia. Throughout the 10-year agreement, OS will deliver the next generation of location data for Great Britain and transform the way people access, share and innovate with geospatial data.

For further information visit www.os.uk/psga.