2 November 2005

New plans to make public services more accessible via technology have been announced today.

The government is launching a major cross-departmental initiative to ensure it is fully taking advantage of the advances in Internet technology and telecommunications.

Each government department is publishing its aims on how to improve services within education, business or local councils.

Cabinet office minister John Hutton says today's initial plans are in response to the rapidly growing widespread use of technology.

"In 1997, fewer than 16% of households had a mobile phone and fewer than one in 10 used the internet," he commented.

He said public services need to catch up with private companies in responding to the increasingly sophisticated demands of the public.

"That is why I am publishing a cross-government strategy today to ensure government uses technology more effectively to deliver better services that are focussed on the needs of the customer," he added.

The various departmental "visions" published today with be formulated into a coherent plan by the end of the financial year.

© Adfero Ltd

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