Looking Local is to partner with the Community Channel and bring viewers on Sky direct access to information and services from over 125 public sector organisations simply by pressing the red button. The new service, which is aimed at people without internet access, is launched as Directgov withdraws its service from SKY later this month.

Over 125 local authorities, housing associations, health organisations as well as Jobcentre Plus, Transport Direct and NHS work with Looking Local to widen access to their services, delivering them straight to homes that often need them most. Over nine million people do not have Internet access in the UK and Looking Local makes significant inroads in terms of providing electronic access services to these people, as well as bringing efficiency savings to partners in terms of improving their self service records.

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A new service has been launched to help volunteers, community groups and social enterprises overcome bureaucracy and get things done in their neighbourhood.

Councils, community groups, local institutions and individuals who need central government’s help to get rid of barriers can submit a request through the Barrier Busting website Everyone who submits a query will be given an individual number to track the progress of their request and the contact details of a named person they can talk to from a dedicated team of “barrier busters” – senior civil servants in the Government who will help find ways to let local people take control.

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