New government website gov.uk goes live

A government website that will save taxpayers up to £70m by replacing other online public services will go live today.

Users will be able to carry out a raft of tasks at GOV.UK, including applying for driving licences, finding out travel information and looking for business advice.

Directgov and Business Link will now close and the new site will eventually take in governmental department websites, saving between £50m and £70m "over time" according to officials.

GOV.UK, which latest figures show has cost £18.7million to build, will be easier and faster to use than the previous versions, according to ministers.

Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude said: "GOV.UK is focused on the needs of users, not the needs of government. It has been planned, written, organised and designed around what users need to get done, not around the ways government want them to do it - providing only the content they need and nothing superfluous.

"Not only is the result simpler, clearer and faster for users, it will also cost taxpayers up to £70m less per year than the services it replaces. We anticipate further substantial savings as more departments and agencies move on to the GOV.UK platform.

"In the way it has been built - and will continue to be updated and improved on the basis of experience and user feedback - GOV.UK is an example of how the Civil Service should keep continuously changing and improving and remain focused on outcomes.

"The public wants services to be delivered better, and with GOV.UK we are responding with a digital platform that makes services quicker and easier to use, and produces efficiencies for government."

PA