The target to get all government services on line by 2005 is looking less achievable following the latest survey of central departments by the Office of the e-Envoy. Some 63% of services are now online and this represents a 10% increase on the spring 2002 findings. Although the rate of delivering electronic services is likely to increase as the deadline approaches, it is increasingly unlikely that the gap will be closed. A more rigorous reporting process is to be introduced to gain a better picture of what is actually happening.The e-Envoy said that Government is determined to transform the delivery of its services and e-government is fundamental to achieving this aim. Success in delivering services will be measured by take-up rather than availability. This is a recognition that the 2005 availability target is not measuring what is important. Experience has shown that take-up is much more difficult to achieve. Two years after Customs and Excise introduced on-line VAT payment only 0.4% of returns were lodged on-line. The Inland Revenue is only achieving a marginally better result with Income Tax returns.
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