e-Government
6 in 10 web users visit government sites
Internet users aged 16 and over who had visited a government website in the previous 12 months, GB
In the year to July 2005, 58 per cent of Internet users in Great Britain had visited a government website in the 12 months before interview, an increase from 46 per cent in the year to July 2004.
Internet users who visited a government website were more likely to be economically active and of working age. Online e-government use was low for those at risk of social exclusion, particularly working-age people without qualifications, those in social housing, and the elderly.
Over one-quarter (28 per cent) of adults visited a government website to obtain information in the 12 months before interview. Other activities included downloading forms (8 per cent), submitting online application forms (6 per cent), and making a payment online (3 per cent).
Government services can also be accessed through non-Internet based e-channels, such as automated telephony, kiosks, interactive digital television or Short Messaging Service (SMS or texting). In the 12 months to July 2005, 13 per cent of adults had used government services through these channels, and nearly half of these (6 per cent) had not used Internet-based government services.
Main reason why Internet users aged 16 and over did not use government websites, 2004/05, GB
Four in ten (40 per cent) of Internet users who did not access government websites claimed, as their main reason, that they had no need to access these services. However, of these, around three-quarters had contacted government in the 12 months before interview, suggesting that there is potential for growth in e-government usage.
Satisfaction and loyalty among e-government users is generally high. In July 2005, 90 per cent of users rated services as generally good, while 91 per cent indicated they would continue to use e-services in the future.
Source: Omnibus Survey, Office for National Statistics
Notes:
2004/05 data were collected in October 2004 and February, May and July 2005.
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