David Willetts, the UK Minister of State for Universities and Science, delivered a remarkable speech to the Publishers Association annual general meeting in London last week. Willetts focused on open access and left no doubt of the government’s commitment on the issue:

Our starting point is very simple. The Coalition is committed to the principle of public access to publicly-funded research results. That is where both technology and contemporary culture are taking us. It is how we can maximise the value and impact generated by our excellent research base. As taxpayers put their money towards intellectual enquiry, they cannot be barred from then accessing it. They should not be kept outside with their noses pressed to the window – whilst, inside, the academic community produces research in an exclusive space. The Government believes that published research material which has been publicly financed should be publicly accessible – and that principle goes well beyond the academic community.

Willetts did not shy away from the economic impact on publishers:

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