More than two thirds of the population have never visited any of the Government’s 3,000 websites, according to new research from IT consultancy firm, Hedra.
The study shows that fewer than 3% of UK adults regularly use Government websites to access public services, despite the fact that nearly two thirds of the population now have internet access.
The Government has earmarked £1 billion of public money to reach its target of getting all of its services online by 2005. However, Hedra warns that unless the Government succeeds in making these services attractive to socially excluded groups, then much of this money could go to waste.
Stuart James, deputy chairman of Hedra, said: “The Government needs to look carefully at ways of driving more traffic to its sites, such as discounts on taxes, like those already available to those who pay council tax by direct debit.”
The research shows that 80% of respondents would use the internet for Government services if it saved them money, with more than half (53%) saying better usability would drive them to Government websites.
The aim is to mirror the situation in the US where the internet is increasingly seen as an essential medium. A recent study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project revealed that over 80% of users expect to “find reliable information about news events, healthcare and government services on the web”.
