Review of the Year: Government projects

Every year politicians think up new policies, and often it's down to IT to put them into practice.

Which is usually where the fun begins.

One big area of government policy that developed this year was the plans for entitlement cards (identity cards to you and me).

First we revealed that the Passport Service (UKPS) is planning a smartcard passport, which it wants in place in a few years' time.

And we revealed that the UKPS and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) are working on building a database recording details of everyone in the country.

On top of this, the government is now running a consultation on whether to introduce universal entitlement cards, building on what the UKPS and DVLA are already doing.

Critics are warning that the computer systems will be the trickiest bit.

Other big news this year came from government plans to make services accessible from mobile phones.

Soon, students could receive exam results by text message, and homeowners could get warnings when their houses are at risk of flood.

The government also said that IT will play an even bigger role in the NHS. A number of trials are already underway to replace the creaking systems the health service uses.

And, as the NHS is one of the largest organisations in Europe, there will be lots of money to spend and big benefits if it goes well - and potentially disastrous consequences if it goes badly.

Of course, you could not talk about government and IT without mentioning the odd cock up. The latest is the continuing delays with new systems for the Child Support Agency.