Report: Government lacks 'net understanding

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The government needs to get a "firm grip" on the growth of its websites, according to a report by the Committee of Public Accounts.

Some quarter of government bodies can't say how much their sites cost, the report found. Of the organisations that could provide cost data, 40 per cent merely offered estimates. And, just 16 per cent have solid data about how well their sites are being used.

Committee chairman Edward Leigh told parliament that the internet is indeed transforming the way government interacts with its 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," he said.

Leigh called the focus on centralising web services into sites such as direct.gov.uk a "welcome development", but added: "The time has long passed for getting a firm grip on the growth of government websites which has been almost uncontrolled."

The report showed that the UK government spends about £208 million a year on delivering services and information online, which helps cut costs and improve access - for some.

As the government moves more and more services online, Leigh said they most not widen the digital divide. According to the report, three-quarters of socially excluded and half of people on low incomes do not use the internet.

"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," Leigh said.

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