Government aims to promote the use of
online information services to the point where this is 'the preferred
option for the majority of government's customers (both citizens and
businesses)'.
Details of the proposals were set out in a Green Paper 'Government
Direct: A Prospectus for the Electronic Delivery of Government
Services' and explained by the Minister for Public Service, Roger
Freeman, at the IT for All launch in December 1996.
He said: 'It will become possible to interact with government at the
time and place chosen by the user. Through public access kiosks,
through personal computers at home or in businesses and eventually
through the domestic TV set, government services will be available 24
hours a day, 7 days a week at the touch of a button. Many contacts
with government will be carried out this way: obtaining information;
applying for a licence; enquiring about regulations or taxation;
applying for grants or benefits; the collection of statistics or even
selling products to Government. In the longer term, it will become
possible to carry out the whole transaction electronically on the
spot.'
These developments are planned within the next 10 years, and will be
another major factor in establishing online information as an
important part of everyday life.
The
advantages of online advice,
by Gareth Morgan
www.partnerships.org.uk/articles/direct1.html