Geospatial Data Bill

Due to it's length, the full text of the bill can be found here.

This Bill was submitted by the Rt Hon. u/Hobnob88 , Lord Inverness, and u/Waffel-lol , on behalf of the Liberal Democrats

Opening Speech:

Deputy Speaker,

All countries make and use geospatial data, whether it is in transport networks, population, ground water, land use and air temperatures. Today we face challenges in the limitation of the supply of land and subsequently the trade offs in how we use that land. We are very proud of this bill that has seen a great deal of work and effort. We fully understand the esoteric nature of the bill and its terminology can be quite daunting; however, it does some very simple things and addresses very important matters for a nation operating in the modern era. Part 1 firstly establishes the Geospatial Commission. A public body that works to ensure and improve UK geodata is recorded and maintained. Establishing this body is crucial to carrying out the goals and functions detailed and later expanded in Part 2. The Geospatial Commission works as a body that will serve in its operations to aid Government and the public in integrating data, science and innovation for better land usage. Part 2 establishes the framework and operations carried out by the Geospatial Commission in its geodata services on areas such as topography, urban location addresses and the systems used by the Commission. Schedule 1 provides a concise listing of the spatial data themes and areas of coverage in what exactly this bill and its subject matter concerns itself with and improves.

As we advance into the modern era, where technology and its connectivity is impossible to deny in our lives and its uses to improve our own awareness of the world, this is a bill that has been long overdue. We are putting the United Kingdom at the forefront of technological capabilities and geographical research on the global stage. A renewed strategy for spatial data allows us to expand on our current albeit outdated geodata systems to embrace ground breaking technologies across the country, boosting our economy, improving our environmental information and conservation and helping our services. Currently, geospatial services play a crucial role in our everyday life, from; online maps used by billions when ordering online to aid delivery drivers, innovative research and developmental topographic projects, environmental conservation, to urban planning and development. By harnessing the technological advancements in establishing a proper spatial data framework, we allow tools such as satellite imagery, real-time data to boost our location powered innovation and drive increased snd improved usage of location data in areas such as transport, utilities, infrastructure, environment and conservation, property and more.

This division will end at 10pm on the 22nd August