Thursday 10:24
Douglas Alexander today published Digital Television - a policy framework for accessing e-government services. The framework encourages departments to evaluate the benefits of digital television (DTV) in delivering public services. Maximising the use of DTV is part of the Government's drive to offer services that are built and delivered around the needs of the citizen.
DTV is becoming increasing popular, over 45% of UK households now have DTV and the UK is the world leader in terms of DTV take-up. It is therefore clear that Government should make effective use of the medium and give citizens the opportunity to communicate with Government at a time and place of their choosing.
Importantly, the Government's use of DTV supports its target of delivering all services electronically by 2005 and ensuring they achieve high take-up. It also has potential implications for access, tackling the digital divide by bringing e-government services to those who are reluctant or unable to access them via a PC.
Douglas Alexander, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said:
"DTV presents a wealth of opportunities to improve the way Government services are delivered and used. We must harness this potential to effectively interact with the citizen and deliver services that they need in a way that they want.
"In addition to the UK online interactive service, launched in April 2002, we have also seen a number of innovative DTV pilot projects including those from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Department of Health and the Department of Work and Pensions. The new framework will allow Government to learn from these examples and build on them. "
NOTES TO EDITORS
The document is available on http://www.GovTalk.gov.uk
Printed copies are available from: Technology Policy Team, Office of the e-Envoy, Stockley House, 130 Wilton Road, London, SW1V 1LQ.
The Office of the e-Envoy is part of the Prime Minister's Delivery and Reform team based in the Cabinet Office. The primary focus of the Office of the e-Envoy is to improve the delivery of public services and achieve long term cost savings by joining-up online government services around the needs of customers. The e-Envoy is responsible for ensuring that all Government services are available electronically by 2005 with key services achieving high levels of use.
The Office continues to ensure that the country, its citizens and its businesses derive maximum benefit from the knowledge economy. It works to meet the Prime Minister's target for internet access for all who want it by 2005 and supports work across Government to develop the UK as a world leader for electronic business.
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