Government wants e-services take-up boost

The government is pinning its hopes on a new initiative this Spring to drive take-up of public services, because efforts so far have failed to boost numbers.

The Office of the e-Envoy admitted that as far fewer people than expected have used online government services, the next round of its emphasis will be to dramatically improve use.

"The e-Envoy Office is planning a major campaign in the spring to get people online.

"The 'Online Nation' campaign will encourage people to try online services and, if they already have, inform them about the wide range of things they can do online," said a spokeswoman.

Two-thirds of government services available online are information-based, but between now and 2005 there will be more transaction-based services appearing, which should increase use, according to the government.

A recent survey of 1,000 UK citizens found that only seven per cent of people had contacted their local authority online over the last year.

Mark Westaby, director at Portfolio Communications which commissioned the survey, said a lack of understanding of the benefits of using the web to find information, pay bills and deal with local authorities could hold back e-government.

"The government has a big job to do in education, or the adoption of online services could take decades rather than a few years," he said.

"If the government is investing £350m to put e-government in place it should put some money into informing people," he said.