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Minister and experts announce major progress in first year of Transformational Government strategy

The Government today launched its progress report on ‘Transformational Government: enabled by technology’[External website] with the news that at least 551 government websites are to be cut to make access to information easier for citizens and businesses.

Number of websites drastically reduced

In a move that will benefit tens of millions of users, only 26 of the websites examined so far are certain to be retained by Government, while 551 will go. Information of continuing relevance from closed sites will transfer to www.direct.gov.uk[External website] and www.businesslink.gov.uk[External website].

The move is the natural next step for Government as citizens shift their interest to ‘supersites’ such as the Directgov and www.bbc.co.uk[External website] websites.

Complex worldwide operation

The report is the first of its kind in Europe and sets out that transformation in government is a long–term endeavour involving tough challenges. John Suffolk, Government Chief Information Officer, said today:

“We operate in over 140 countries, spend some £12billion a year across the whole public sector and run many of the world's largest computer systems. The DWP makes 13 millions benefits payments electronically every week – it's a complex operation.”

Millions benefiting every day

Use of Government IT has now reached a critical mass and ordinary citizens are at the heart of this new way of working. Learners have been some of the biggest beneficiaries of technology investment. One million primary school children now use e–learning in class each day and there is a three–fold improvement in the computer to pupil ratio.

The Minister for Transformational Government, Pat McFadden, said today:

“This report demonstrates how millions of people are benefiting from our use of technology everyday. We are dealing decisively with the proliferation of government websites by getting rid of more than 500. We are ensuring that the quality of our services will not be affected by these changes.”

Major savings behind the scenes

Hundreds of millions are being saved by successful IT projects that receive little public attention. A Ministry of Defence effort known as ‘Project Home’ has revolutionised everything from how staff share secure information, where they sit and how their teams are structured. Transport for London, meanwhile, has saved 30 per cent saved on human resources through a shared services centre.

To build on this success over the long term the new Government IT Profession is going from strength to strength. More than 7,000 members have been recruited in its first full year.

For further information
Ryan Heath on 0207 276 0436 Ryan.Heath@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk

Notes to editors

1. A DVD is available to media which includes interviews with end users.
2. A limited number of printed editions of the CIO Annual Report are available from the Cabinet Office press office.
3. The report is being published alongside a Written Ministerial Statement
4. The full report is available on www.cio.gov.uk[External website] and includes information on what each department and the wider public sector spends on IT.

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