Headlines: June 30th, 2000

Public sector website designers are being encouraged to make their work more user-friendly.But in a change from the usual celebration of private sector examples, they are being urged not to follow commercial practices.

Web designers in the public sector should have a different set of objectives than the private sector, according to Cabinet-Office Minister Ian McCartney.

At a seminar next week, ‘Web Design for Government’, the Government will argue that the emphasis is on co-operation not brand differentiation and getting members of the public the right information even if it means leaving a site.

Websites will be one of the major tools for reaching the Prime Minister’s target of being able to deliver all Government services on-line by 2005.

Web Design for Government is at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Mall, SW1 on 5 July.