The Government's citizen portal, UK Online, is moving from its
existing host site to a new datacentre.
Hosting was transferred to EduServ, a small, not-for-profit
organisation that already works with a number of public sector Web
sites.
Whitehall sources have confirmed that the migration from its
previous undisclosed location took place late last week.
Officials have refused to confirm the exact location of the new
site, although there has been speculation that it is in the West
Country.
The move follows the termination of negotiations with previous
supplier BT earlier this year.
Government officials have described the move as an interim solution
while the new version of UK Online is being developed.
The second version of the site will be launched early next
year.
A Cabinet Office spokeswoman said, "The long-term hosting partner
for UK Online will be decided by a tendering process next
year."
In July the Government launched the ninth "life episode" for UK
Online, which deals with pensions and retirement.
Existing life episodes on the site cover events such as learning to
drive, moving home, having a baby and dealing with
bereavement.
Launched by Tony Blair in September 2000, UK Online links more than
1,000 government Web sites. It is part of Blair's plan to make all
government services available electronically by 2005.