Monthly Reports

PRIME MINISTER

Report from the e-Minister and e-Envoy - 5th August 2002

Introduction
This is the seventh monthly progress report since the publication of our UK online strategy in December 2001. We continue to drive forward a programme of change to get individuals, businesses and Government online.

A more detailed progress report on each of the commitments made in December is now published on our website (www.e-envoy.gov.uk). It shows that of the 113 commitments announced, 99 are on track, 11 are completed, and 3 are behind schedule.

As in previous months, this report focuses on just a few topical issues. The major development over the last month has, of course, been the Chancellor's Spending Review. Other areas of activity have included the launch of the e-Democracy consultation paper and Interactive Digital Television partnerships.

Spending Review 2002
The Chancellor's announcement on 15 July was an important milestone for e-government. The £1billion set aside in the 2000 Spending Review was earmarked for specific high-impact projects, and for two years many new e-service projects had sought funding through the Invest to Save Budget or the Capital Modernisation Fund. Many were successful - over £900m was awarded to e-government projects from those two funds - but the 2002 Spending Review offered an opportunity for a coherent strategic look at the funding for e-government, and a chance to address the critical issues.

One important achievement was recognition that e-services offer significant benefits to users - that they are quicker, more convenient and can be designed around the customer. At the same time, government can provide these services more efficiently by using technology to connect the whole delivery process, as well as improving the interface with the public. A total of nearly £3 billion over the three years to 2005-06 was ring-fenced for spending on e-service delivery. This includes nearly £1 billion to improve efficiency within the criminal justice system, nearly £500 million to support local government e-services (in addition to the £350m in SR2000), and more than £200 million to develop e-services at HM Customs and Excise.

Increased funding for the NHS was announced in the Chancellor's April Budget Statement. Plans for increasing investment in IT were published on 12 June 2002 in a document entitled Delivering 21st Century IT Support for the NHS. Final details of the Department of Health's SR2002 settlement are awaited, and we will be working closely with the Department and HM Treasury to ensure that maximum benefits are realised.

A high level of take-up is the best measure of successful e-services. In time, high take-up will enable resources to be reallocated to other priorities. In return for additional resources, delivery organisations are therefore being asked to agree stretching targets for the take-up of e-services.

e-Democracy
Last month, Robin Cook, Leader of the House of Commons, announced the publication of In the service of democracy - a significant public consultation paper on e-democracy. The paper aims to invigorate debate by showing how technology can deepen and enhance citizens' involvement in the democratic process. The initial reaction to the proposals has been favourable.

The proposed strategy offers new ways of participating and seeks to complement existing structures. Action is proposed in two main areas, e-participation and e-voting. We outline new ways in which the mechanisms of democracy can be enhanced, by modernising voting methods, improving access to ballots and broadening the scope of government consultations.

Copies of the paper are available electronically on the new e-democracy consultation web site (www.edemocracy.gov.uk) and in hard format from the OeE press office. An online discussion group has also been set up to facilitate debate (www.ukonline.gov.uk).

The period of consultation will run until 31 October 2002 and will be followed by a formal Government response. The e-democracy cabinet committee will determine whether to formalise the policy in a White Paper.

Interactive Digital Television
Since its launch in April this year, the OeE's UK online Interactive Digital Television (iDTV) service on Sky has generated around 20,000 visitors a month. This early success, achieved without advertising, is now being quickly built upon. We are working to enhance the scope of the service and to develop strategic partnerships at the central, regional and local level.

As a first step the OeE has provided a platform for Suffolk County Council to launch its own interactive digital television service. Somerset plans to launch a similar service, also via UK online interactive, later this year.

The OeE is receiving considerable attention from many other parties who are also interested in receiving iDTV assistance. We are therefore designing a structure by which every part of Government can have a presence on the service over a short period of time at a low entry cost. We are already in discussions with most departments and will be contacting all local authorities in the summer about the ways they can join the service.

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