NAO's report on Digital Britain 2: Committee comments
28 March 2013
Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP, Chair of the Committee of Public Accounts, comments on a report by the National Audit Office (NAO) on Digital Britain Two: the usability of government digital services
Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MP said:
"As the government strives to get everyone using online services, it must make sure it doesn’t ignore people without internet access. This group of approximately 4 million people is skewed towards those aged over 65, in lower socio-economic groups or with a disability.
"The Cabinet Office needs to make sure it understands these people’s needs better and move forward with its plans to support them. They must not be put at a disadvantage because they either can’t or don’t want to go online.
"In some cases, fewer than 50% of transactions are done online. To achieve its expectation that 82% of transactions are completed online, the Cabinet Office needs to understand better and break down the barriers that stop people with access from using online government services."