Adam Tickell's review of open access and advice to the Minister has been published. This is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/499455/ind-16-3-open-access-report.pdf

The Minister's response is available here:  https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/499291/bis-16-122-open-access-research-response.pdf

Professor Tickell advocates "no  major  changes  to  the  UK’s  approach" but says that "some  minor  changes  will  be helpful." Implementing many of the recommendations lies with the UUK OA coordination group. Members may wish to note that Kitty Inglis, Chair of the SCONUL Content Strategy Group, sits on this for SCONUL. 

His analysis includes the following points:

• Business models surrounding journals have proven less dynamic (than research practices) in response to open access and costs continue to rise. 
• That international coordination could be helpful in creating downward pressure on costs. 
• The report recognises the role of "citation practices, promotion processes and peer review in both the REF and research granting bodies" in encouraging publication in high status journals, and in "hindering effective market operation". A key recommendation is that universities should be encouraged to sign-up to the San Francisco Declaration on Research.  

Other recommendations include:

• RCUK to continue supporting Gold Open Access Charges
• UK Open Access Coordination Group to support the development of agreed service standards around Gold Open Access, in recognition of concerns about poor service from some publishers for authors and institutions
• UK Open Access policy should offer greater choice to research producers, with a greater emphasis on green as well as gold OA
• UUK OA Coordination Group to continue annual work to monitor the transition towards Open Access, including costs
• UUK OA Coordination Group to convene an Efficiency Forum sub-group, "with a focus on identifying efficiencies and areas for collaboration in, for example, financial management, policy compliance, and reporting requirements between stakeholders."
• UUK OA Coordination Group to convene a Repositories sub-group, to include SCONUL, RLUK and the British Library.  This is to ensure the development of repository infrastructure and enhance their interoperability "so that they provide effective routes to access for research publications including reports, working papers and other grey literature, as well as theses and dissertations, a mechanism for enhancing the links between publications and associated research data; and an effective preservation service.
• UUK OA Coordination Group to convene an Open Access Monographs sub-group.
• And the UK Open Data Forum to coordinate work associated with a ‘roadmap’ for sector infrastructure. 

Jo Johnson has accepted these recommendations.  His letter states that:

"I want to see gold access charges reducing over time in a healthy competitive market. I welcome your proposals to develop service standards for gold access and a voluntary “good practice” guide seems like a positive step in promoting clearer service expectations between publishers and researchers. I am also keen to continue to see progress in off-setting arrangements and better value obtained for higher education institutions. ". 

He asks for a progress report on this is provided by the end of 2017.