The UK has slipped in the world e-government rankings,
according to the latest research from IT services and consulting
group Accenture.
In its sixth annual e-government survey, Accenture ranked the UK
10th out of 22 countries for 2004. In 2003, using slightly
different methodology, the UK was placed in eighth position, a fall
from sixth in 2002.
The findings will be disappointing to the government, which last
week launched its Digital Britain strategy.
The strategy aims to transform public service around e-government
and boasts advances in broadband internet penetration and digital
TV in the UK.
Accenture measured the breadth of government services online as
well as the depth of transactional capability, completeness of
interaction and integration across government.
The survey showed that although the UK has relatively high internet
use, hits on e-government services remain low compared to other
countries with similar levels of internet use (see graph).
The research also revealed strong UK user satisfaction with
electronic methods of e-government service delivery from those who
had tried it.
"This year's research shows that governments cannot afford to
invest all of their efforts and resources in developing the online
channel alone to keep pace with citizen demand.
"The entire government organisation must become focused on
delivering services that are tailored to the needs and
circumstances of users, and are co-ordinated across the various
channels of interaction," said Marty Cole, Accenture government
operating group chief executive.