[London, ENGLAND] “From the cradle to the grave” is how
the U.K. Government describes the range of services on
ukonline.gov.uk, a new Web site developed in partnership
with Syntegra.
Aimed to give 24-hour access to Government, the site
will inevitably draw criticism for being too political
because it contains a so-called “Citizen Space” where the
Government’s policy is explained and current issues
discussed.
Ukonline.gov.uk has been running in beta since December
2000, and, since then, rival parties to the governing
Labour Party have taken a “wait and see” attitude before
criticizing it overtly. But with the election drawing
ever closer, the enhanced site launched this week is
bound to become more controversial.
Cabinet Office Minister Ian McCartney said the site was
just the starter in what he called “a moving feast.”
“We are investigating a tranche of new services — such as
packaged information and services for people retiring, changing
jobs, starting, changing or leaving school, and becoming
a carer,” said McCartney.
The Minister went on to say that the site is part of a
billion-pound (US $1.41 billion) drive to put all Government
services online.
“It’s turning Government on its head — ensuring convenient
and accessible services organized around people’s needs,”
said McCartney.
Perhaps the key feature of ukonline.gov.uk is the way in
which it organizes information around key events in people’s
lives. The “LifeEvents” area takes people directly to the
information they need, whether they are having a baby, moving
house, or dealing with bereavement.
Other features include easy access for the partially sighted,
a special search engine for the 1,000 U.K. Government Web sites,
and improved navigation.
Use of the site is obviously dependent on people having
Internet access — an issue that the U.K. Government has
been at pains to address. In September 2000, Prime Minister
Tony Blair announced the Government’s intention to ensure
universal access to the Internet by 2005.
According to a new Government report, by 2005 around
30 percent of British households will use high-speed
Internet connections. A chain of public access centers
will demonstrate the benefits of using broadband, as
well as providing access for those people without a
connection at home or work.
