Tag Archives: digital by default

Gov.uk beta site launched

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By Martha Lane Fox

gov-uk screenshot

gov.uk

Late last night gov.uk launched – I urge you to have a look and give feedback to the team. It’s a beta site but it is an indication of how much change is happening in central government. I started working on the way central govt uses websites in 2010 and with the help of Transform wrote a report calling for a revolution in how government thinks about the Internet . We tried to shift the emphasis onto us, the user, by asking for simpler, more open, cheaper and more beautiful website design.

After the establishment of the Government Digital Service and the installation of Mike Bracken as Executive Director of digital these ideas are now becoming a reality. There is a long way to go but it would be easy to underestimate the sea change without knowing the amount of talent being built up and the plans ahead. Mike has recruited a band of warriors to help including Tom Loosemore, Mark o’Neil and Felicity Singleton and I am so proud of my small role in their work.  Have a look at the cabinet office blog and please get involved – all of these services get better when we all help improve them.

The prize is big – massive savings, more people online and the UK in a world leading position.

An open request to UK social housing providers

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If you work in social housing then I urge you to input into an update for Government. Feel free to pass this opportunity to a senior colleague if you feel they would be better placed to respond representing your organisation.

Our Digital Housing Report highlighted the critically low digital capability of the UK’s social housing sector, and inspired Grant Shapps to convene the digital housing summit. Mr. Shapps, myself, Grainia Long (CEO, CIH), David Orr (CEO, NHF), David Parsons (Chairman, Environment & Housing Programme Board, LGA) then wrote to housing association CEOs urging action.

Government has asked me to update on housing providers now embedding digital strategies and helping their residents to get online. To this end I would be extremely grateful if you would complete a very short questionnaire at http://bit.ly/MLFQblog before February the 10th, so I can represent your organisation’s thoughts and efforts.

Digital capability is core to every work stream. Residents with inadequate digital skills feel more isolated and socially excluded, are less employable, attain lower grades in education, and pay more for goods and services. Digital technologies also enable savings and improvements for your business (but only if your customers are switched on to using them).

I urge you to place the digital capability of your business and residents firmly on your Corporate Risk Register, and I thank you sincerely for taking the time to complete my survey.

If you are a UK social housing provider then please take a few minutes to follow this link: http://bit.ly/MLFQblog

With many thanks in advance for your help

Martha Lane Fox

Channel Shift in the Public Sector

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""With ever increasing demand on the public sector to increase efficiency while maintaining high standards of customer service, don’t miss your chance to attend ‘Channel Shift in the Public Sector’, a Capita conference focusing on the challenges and benefits of moving towards ‘Digital by Default’.

Taking place this Friday, the conference will highlight emerging and established best practice in the management and provision of multiple channel service delivery, including social media, while also tackling the critical issue of promoting our agenda in communities and the variety of models for successful channel integration.

The best bit?  Race Online 2012 MD Leigh Smyth is only one of the fab speakers lined up. Delivering the keynote address, she’ll be discussing ‘moving towards a networked nation’ – motivating the transition to digital, making services available for all and cutting transaction costs through channel shift.  Other speakers include Amanda Derrick from the Department for Education and Programme Director for ‘Connect Digitally’, and reps from police, housing, health and local government.