Government web services 'can improve'

The government can do more to get the most of out its internet offerings, a committee of MPs has concluded.

The Commons public accounts committee noted that a quarter of government organisations are unable to disclose the exact cost of their websites, while 16 per cent cannot provide satisfactory knowledge of their site users.

The MPs took evidence on the issue from the Cabinet Office and the Central Office of Information in a bid to determine areas in which improvements can be made.

Commenting on the findings of the report, committee chairman Edward Leigh said: "The internet is transforming the way in which government communicates with and provides services to citizens.

"But the government's enthusiastic embrace of this new world of web-delivered services is not matched by a commensurate level of understanding of what it is achieving through its websites, how effective they are or whether they represent value for money."

While welcoming the "streamlining of web services" on government websites such as direct.gov.uk and businesslink.gov.uk, Leigh called for "regular independent reviews of how they are developing and the associated risks".

He added: "Those gazing towards the sunlit digital uplands must not forget those among our citizens - including three-quarters of socially excluded people and a half of people on low incomes - who have no access to the internet or do not use it. They must not be left behind as the government's use of the internet gathers pace."

In its delivery of online services and information, the government spends an estimated £208m per year.

However, it some 75 per cent of socially excluded people and 51 per cent of individuals on low incomes do not currently use the internet and could be in danger of not receiving important government information and services.