UK Online replacement gets digital TV boost

The replacement for the government's UK Online e-government citizen portal has moved to the next stage of its rollout, with deals that will make it available through digital TV.

The Directgov online service was given a soft launch last month and the website combines motoring, disability and parenting information from 18 different government department websites. A full launch is expected in the autumn.

The Office of the e-Envoy is already claiming that Directgov has been an instant hit with users following a survey of 100 internet users who were asked to complete a number of tasks on both Directgov and UK Online and rate the sites.

Almost 90 per cent said it was easier to access government information and public services through Directgov and 80 per cent said they preferred it to UK Online because it offered a broader range of content in a better-structured way.

The website is now available through its own URL separate from UK Online and it will be extended to digital TV through Sky and Telewest, with NTL to follow shortly.

Andrew Pinder, the Government e-Envoy, said the topic-based rather than departmental-based approach of the new site makes it easier for people to access government services and information.

"The service puts the complexity of government firmly behind the scenes, drawing together government resources to address the issues and interests of real people. This has been overwhelmingly endorsed by the feedback that we have received from users," he said in a statement. "I'm confident that Directgov will, in time, become the single destination for people to interact electronically with government."

Government departments have shared the "few-hundred-thousand pounds" cost of the site, which is run on a platform developed by Sapient and Microsoft and hosted by EDS – though this will shift to ITNet with its new government-hosting contract.