Government launches 'cradle-to-grave' site

Paul Howard

Heralded by the Government as a "cradle-to-grave" information service, the site aims to provide online facilities for everything from ordering road tax to finding bereavement support groups.

The site is designed around the concept of "life events", such as birth, death, marriage and moving house. UK Online will provide advice on how to deal with the red tape associated with these events.

Future enhancements will allow users to carry out transactions with government departments, for example registering a birth online. The first of these services are scheduled to become available later in 2001.

Cabinet Office minister Ian McCartney said, "We are investigating a tranche of new services". Access via Digital TV, Wap phones and kiosks will be added in time.

www.ukonline.gov.uk